Quotes
Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families,
Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity."
In a separate statement, the White House quoted Biden as saying I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,
Biden said at the White House The decision on how to approach Iran ultimately will drive much of Trump's decision-making related to the region as a whole,
said Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer on the Middle East The upside is Biden came to Israel's defense as a reliable ally,
said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East adviser to Democratic and Republican administrations Witkoff was able to pressure Netanyahu into accepting the deal and moving quickly,
an official briefed on the talks said, referring to a meeting with the conservative leader who had forged a close relationship with Trump during his first term Biden hasn't been seen as the Arab world's best friend,
said one Middle East diplomat in Washington Gaza will be the legacy,
said Mike Casey, a former State Department official with 15 years as a foreign service officer who was among those who resigned in protest I don't think he deserves much credit in Lebanon or Syria,
The greatest feat is Biden didn't get in the way of Israel, but he constantly counseled 'don't do this, don't do that',
said Elliott Abrams, who was Trump's special envoy on Iran during his first term and now rates Biden's Middle East record as "mediocre." With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven,
These are not partisan issues; these are American national security issues. And it’s the kind of spirit that President Biden has brought to this job from the very beginning that set the politics aside, do what’s right for the country, and have our team work with the incoming team in that regard,
We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
Trump continued Wednesday on Truth Social We hope the details will be worked out tonight,
his office said in a statement Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal (was) reached following (the) Qatari PM's meeting with Hamas negotiators and separately Israeli negotiators in his office".
A source briefed on the talks later told AFP WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones."
Trump’s pressure seems to have made a difference here, which reflects badly on Biden,
said Duss, who has been critical of Biden for not exerting more pressure on the Israeli government Gaza’s future is uncertain, (as is) the future of the Israel-Palestine conflict,
The arrival of (Trump) … who has gone on record saying he wants this issue to be resolved by the time he assumes office … is the driving force that's getting us close to an agreement,
said Nader Hashemi, associate professor of Middle East and Islamic politics at Georgetown University
