‘Very close’ to finalise hostage deal with Hamas: Donald Trump | World News – Times of India

The incoming US President Donald Trump on Monday said he is “very close” of finalising a ceasefire deal with Hamas before his inauguration on January 20.
When asked about the hostage deal, Trump said that they are very close to seal the deal and warned that if it didn’t happened thenthe Hamas is going to be a “lot of trouble like they have never seen before.”
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump said, “we are very close to getting it done, and they have to get it done. If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there, a lot of trouble like they have never seen before, and they will get it done. And I understand it’s. It’s been. There’s been a handshake and they’re getting it finished and maybe by the end of the week, but it has to take place.”

He called the situation of hostages “horrible thing,” Trump claimed that if he was the President then this would have never happened. He also said, “Iran didn’t have the money to give them. Iran was broke essentially. And now, you know, they have a lot of money, although they have been hurt over the last few months.”
Outgoing President Joe Biden’s remarks at the US state department indicated both parties were “on the brink of a proposal”.
US national security advisor Jake Sullivan noted on Monday that a deal was distinctly possible, with increasing pressure on Hamas to agree.
“It’s there for the taking so the question is now can we all collectively seize the moment and make this happen,” Sullivan said during an interview at Bloomberg’s Washington bureau regarding the potential agreement.
Sullivan mentioned that Biden’s Middle East representative, Brett McGurk, had spent over a week in the region finalising agreement details. His discussions with Qatar’s prime minister and Israeli officials indicated positive progress.
The Biden administration has maintained coordination with Trump’s team throughout. Sullivan indicated that Trump’s timeline expectations haven’t negatively impacted negotiations.
“The pressure building here toward the end of President Biden’s term has been considerable,” Sullivan said. “That will help contribute to a positive outcome if we can generate that final yes from both sides.”
According to senior Israeli officials, the initial phase would involve the release of 33 hostages, though some may not have survived.
Trump anticipated the agreement would include returning the remains of deceased hostages from Hamas custody.
Sullivan remained cautious about promising a resolution to the conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
“We’ve been here before, we’ve been close before and haven’t gotten across the finish line,” Sullivan said.