Trump Warns Israel-Hamas Agreement Is Better To Complete Before He Takes An Oath On Position

JAKARTA - United States President-elect Donald Trump warned that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas should be finalized before its inauguration on Monday, saying its involvement was essential for the negotiations.

"We changed course, and we changed it quickly, and frankly, it was better done before I took an oath of office," Trump said in a podcast interview with Dan Bongino.

Trump also said "we shook hands, and we signed certain documents, but that's better to do."

Negotiators reached a gradual agreement on Wednesday to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of conflict since October 7, 2023, fueling tensions in the Middle East. This will take effect on Sunday.

The deal includes the gradual release of hostages arrested by Hamas-led militants, in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

The deal is also expected to ease tensions in the Middle East sparked by the conflict in Gaza, then ignite the occupied West Bank of Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran, raising fears of Israel's war with Iran.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said there would be a "follow-up mechanism" consisting of representatives from the United States, Qatar and Egypt who will headquarter in Cairo, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the hostage release agreement and the ceasefire.

Israel itself is still delaying to formally declare the deal has been reached, insisting details still need to be finalized, assessing the Hamas group disrupted negotiations at the last minute.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement on Thursday accusing Hamas of withdrawing from several agreements and creating a "crisis" in finalizing the deal.

Trump himself claims US President Joe Biden did nothing to make the deal happen.

"I'm not looking for praise. I want to get these people out," he said.

"We have to get them out," he added.

The Republican politician likened the situation to the crisis of taking Iran hostage which was only resolved moments after then president Ronald Reagan took office to replace Jimmy Carter.

"For three years they lived like hell," Trump said of the hostages, who had been around for 470 days.

"We have to free them, and it would be great if we could free them," he said.