Trump announces hostages will be released, ceasefire

President Donald Trump, still five days away from being sworn in at his inauguration, announced that dozens of Israeli and American hostages will be released from Gaza, where they have been held for since the Hamas raid on Israel over 15 months ago.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” Trump wrote on his social media platform TruthSocial.com, where he breaks news.

The White House has not confirmed the news. But Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who is close to the president, affirmed the report:

“Americans have been held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 467 DAYS. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @SteveWitkoff and the Trump National Security Team for making this deal a reality. This is Peace Through Strength. This is the Trump-Effect IN ACTION. BRING THEM ALL HOME,” Donalds wrote on X/Twitter.
 
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!” Trump wrote.
 
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!” said Trump, who will return to the White House on Jan. 20.

By afternoon on Jan. 15, President Joe Biden was taking full credit:

“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal. This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.

“I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the UN Security Council. It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran — but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.

“Even as we welcome this news, we remember all the families whose loved ones were killed in Hamas’s October 7^th attack, and the many innocent people killed in the war that followed. It is long past time for the fighting to end and the work of building peace and security to begin. I am also if thinking of the American families, three of whom have living hostages in Gaza and four awaiting return of remains after what has been the most horrible ordeal imaginable. Under this deal, we are determined to bring all of them home. 

“I will speak more about this soon. For now, I am thrilled that those who have been held hostage are being reunited with their families,” he said in a statement on the White House website.