President-Elect Donald Trump stated in a telephone interview with Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt on Monday that Israel and Hamas were “very close” to reaching a deal, “possibly by the end of the week.”
“If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble,” Trump warned, adding, “A lot of trouble like they’ve never seen before.”
TONIGHT: President-Elect Donald Trump will join “Rob Schmitt Tonight” to discuss his incoming administration, big plans for his new term, the MAGA movement and more — 7PM ET on NEWSMAX.
TUNE IN: https://t.co/6ERkL1aKzo @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/nNpfD1dB7t
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 13, 2025
Although it is safe to assume that Trump was threatening Hamas, which had been toying with Israelis yearning to be reunited with their loved ones, it is possible that the president-elect was also referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who appeared to be conceding to Trump the same deal he had been resisting for more than a year.
Netanyahu’s desire is to start the new Trump era in a positive way, and, among other things, to receive US support on the liberated territories and the settlements, which have been viciously terrorized by the Biden administration, as well as on improving the chances of diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
In the spirit of “the art of the deal,” Trump mentioned that a handshake had already happened, emphasizing, “It has to take place,” and referred to the situation as “a horrible thing.” Trump described hostages enduring conditions in tunnels sometimes just three feet high.
“This would never have happened if I were president,” Trump concluded. “Iran didn’t have the money to fund Hamas. Iran was essentially broke.”
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden stated on Monday that a ceasefire and hostage release deal was “on the brink” of being finalized. This followed optimistic remarks from both Israeli and Hamas officials regarding ongoing negotiations in Qatar.
