Trump Urges Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Trump Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza

GAZA – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump wants Israel and Hamas to agree on a ceasefire in Gaza and to free the remaining Israeli hostages. Senator Lindsey Graham shared this information with Axios.

Over 44,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since fighting broke out between Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) more than a year ago. The conflict escalated after Hamas’ sudden attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis. Hamas has taken more than 250 hostages, with around 100 still believed to be held in Gaza.

Graham reported, "Trump is more determined than ever to free the hostages and support a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants this to happen now." Graham recently visited the Middle East, meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Axios, Graham frequently communicates with Trump about foreign policy and Middle Eastern issues. He stated that Trump wants to finalize a deal in Gaza to concentrate on other matters, including normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia and strengthening regional coalitions against Iran.

Graham expressed hope that "Trump and the outgoing Biden administration will collaborate during the transition to free the hostages and achieve a ceasefire."

Earlier this week, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the group is ready for a ceasefire with Israel. Zuhri claimed that Hamas has shown "high flexibility" and remains interested in a deal to end the war in Gaza. He accused Netanyahu of lacking interest in a ceasefire.

Netanyahu mentioned on Channel 14 Israel that he is "ready for a ceasefire anytime," but only if Jerusalem can secure the release of the hostages. He added, however, that a ceasefire would not mean the end of the fight against Hamas.

As reported by AFP, Hamas has informed Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar that they are "ready for a ceasefire" and a "serious" prisoner exchange.

On November 27, Israel and the Lebanon-based pro-Palestinian group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire mediated by the U.S. and France. The ceasefire took effect on Wednesday morning, with both sides accusing each other of violations since then.