United States President-elect Donald Trump provided insight into the hostage deal negotiations between Israel and Hamas Monday, revealing to Newsmax: "I understand there's been a handshake and they're getting it finished and maybe by the end of the week, but it has to take place."
"We are very close to getting it done," Trump stressed. "They have to get it done. If they don't get it done, there's going to be a lot of trouble out there – a lot of trouble like they have never seen before. They will get it done," he added, just days after warning that Hamas must release the hostages and if they failed to do so there will be "hell to pay."
Senior Israeli officials earlier confided to Israel Hayom that the negotiations are gaining momentum, driven by Trump's ambition to secure an achievement before entering the White House. A senior source elaborated that additional understandings have been reached with Trump's team regarding substantial support for Israel, including continued backing for the war effort moving forward.
According to a senior Hamas official speaking to the BBC, both sides have agreed to a staged process where Hamas would release three hostages on the first day of the agreement, following which Israel would initiate a withdrawal of forces from populated areas.
Seven days into the implementation, Hamas would proceed to release four more hostages, while Israel would permit displaced persons in the south to return northward, though limited to foot travel along the coastal road.
ISRAEL, HAMAS NEAR HOSTAGE DEAL?: "We are very close to getting it done," President-elect Donald Trump tells "Rob Schmitt Tonight."
"There's been a handshake." pic.twitter.com/lRO9Ul1zHh
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 14, 2025
The BBC report further indicated that Israel has agreed to release 1,000 imprisoned terrorists, including approximately 190 who have served sentences of 15 years or more.
