Ceasefire and hostage deal before Trump takes office

US President elect Donald J Trump wants a ceasefire and hostage deal to take place in Gaza before he takes office on Jan 20, revealed Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican – South Carolina), US based Axios.com reported.

“Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now,” Graham said.

“I want people in Israel and in the region to know that Trump is focused on the hostages issue. He wants the killing to stop and the fighting to end.

I hope President Trump and the Biden administration will work together during the transition period to release the hostages and get a ceasefire,” he added.

Where the Middle East is concerned Trump wants Gaza resolved so that he can focus on other Middle East goals such as Israel- Saudi normalization and regional alliance against Iran, revealed Graham, a close ally of Trump on matters related to foreign policy.

Graham has also brushed off proposals for indefinite Israeli occupation of Gaza.

“The best insurance policy against Hamas is not an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza but a reform in the Palestinian society. The only ones who can do that are the Arab countries,” Graham said.

The normalization of Israel – Saudi relations would include the Palestine issue.