President-elect Donald Trump celebrated the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization on Wednesday, just weeks after warning there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas did not release all of the hostages prior to his inauguration.
In a Wednesday post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”
According to NBC News, Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose country hosted negotiations between Israel and Hamas, confirmed that the ceasefire agreement will take effect on Sunday. Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages, while Israel will release 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners who were not involved in the attack against Israel in October of 2023.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote in another post. “I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
Trump explained that his administration will work with Israel and other U.S. allies to ensure that Gaza “NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”
“We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords,” Trump said. “This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!”
In December, Trump issued a statement on Truth Social, warning, “If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”
READ MORE: Trump warns Hamas there will be ‘all hell to pay’ if hostages are not released
In a statement released by the White House, President Joe Biden also celebrated Wednesday’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Biden noted that the agreement came after “many months of intensive diplomacy” by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Biden added, “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.”
During a Wednesday press conference regarding the ceasefire agreement, Jacqui Heinrich, a Fox News White House correspondent, asked, “Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?”
In response to Heinrich’s question, Biden asked, “Is that a joke? After Heinrich confirmed that her question was not a joke, Biden answered, “Oh. Thank you,” before walking away from the press.
