US President-elect Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages would never have been achieved without pressure from him and his incoming administration.
The ceasefire, announced on Wednesday by Qatar and the United States, is set to take effect on Sunday if approved by the Israeli government.
In the initial six-week phase, it provides for the gradual release of 33 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas in exchange for over 1000 convicted Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Following this, conditions for release of the remaining 65 hostages (half of which are believed to be dead) and a permanent end to the war will be negotiated.
Four days before his second-term inauguration, Trump told The Dan Bongino Show, a conservative podcast, that negotiations would not have succeeded without his team's pressure, especially that of future Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
"If we weren't involved in this deal, it would never have happened," Trump assured. "We changed the course of events, and we did it quickly, and frankly, it's better that this is done before I take the oath."
The Israeli security cabinet is set to meet on Friday to review the ceasefire agreement, which is expected to take effect on Sunday, the day before Trump's inauguration.
The conservative leader also criticised outgoing President Joe Biden for taking credit for the ceasefire agreement, calling him "ungracious." "He did nothing! If it weren’t for me, if we hadn't intervened, the hostages would never be freed," he added.
Last May, Biden proposed a ceasefire agreement with terms reflecting those of the deal reached this week.
