NEW: Trump Scores Major Foreign Policy Victory Before Returning To Office

Less than a week before he is set to return to the White House, former President Donald J. Trump announced a significant breakthrough in the Middle East. Both Israel and Hamas have reportedly agreed to a deal facilitating the release of American and Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The announcement, shared on Trump’s Truth Social account Wednesday morning, detailed the agreement and hinted at a broader ceasefire in the region. Trump attributed the breakthrough to his election victory in November and his administration’s ability to foster “peace through strength.”

“We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!” Trump announced Wednesday. The former president’s declaration comes on the heels of a stark warning he issued last week. Trump cautioned that if hostages were not returned by the time he assumed office, “all hell will break out.” His rhetoric and diplomatic maneuvering behind the scenes appear to have pushed the needle in securing this deal.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November,” Trump said. He further stressed that the agreement is just the beginning, promising to build upon the Abraham Accords, his administration’s hallmark achievement that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. He suggested that the ceasefire deal could pave the way for expanded cooperation and stability in the Middle East. “We have achieved so much without even being in the White House,” Trump wrote.

“Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return… and secure more victories for the United States.” In addition to the immediate release of hostages, Trump pledged that his administration would work to ensure Gaza “never again becomes a terrorist safe haven.” While details of the deal remain sparse, Trump’s statement signals a return to his administration’s hawkish approach to regional security and anti-terrorism.

As of Wednesday at noon, the Biden administration had not made any public announcements regarding the deal. However, an Israeli official informed The Hill that an agreement had been reached and anticipated a swift formal approval process. This deal sets the stage for potentially ending the conflict that began over a year ago, following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas against Israel, leading to Israel’s ongoing military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire, mediated with the support of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, seeks to resolve a 15-month conflict that ignited on October 7.

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The truce is reportedly set out in several stages, starting with a 42-day ceasefire period during which 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men aged over 50, will be released. In return, Israel will liberate hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Moreover, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will pull back from densely populated areas in Gaza, though they will continue to oversee critical pathways. The negotiations aim to facilitate the release of all remaining hostages and ensure a full IDF retreat from the Gaza Strip. These talks are scheduled to begin on the sixteenth day of the ceasefire.