Posted on 11/30/24
| News Source: Arutz-7
US President-elect Donald Trump is keen on achieving a ceasefire and hostage agreement in Gaza before his inauguration on January 20, according to Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who spoke to Axios in an interview.
Securing a deal in Gaza is a key priority for President Biden as he approaches the end of his term, but the lack of tangible progress in recent weeks suggests the task may fall to Trump.
Israeli officials speculate that the incoming Trump administration could take a different stance on Gaza, particularly concerning what happens in the aftermath of the war.
Graham, a close confidant and foreign policy adviser to Trump, emphasized that the President-elect is focused on resolving the hostage crisis and ending the conflict quickly, ideally before his term begins.
"Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now," Graham told Axios.
"I want people in Israel and in the region to know that Trump is focused on the hostages issue. He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end," he added.
Graham also expressed hope for cooperation between the Biden administration and Trump during the transition period, saying, "I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire."
His comments came following his return from a Middle East trip—his second this month—where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.