An agreement to exchange 'Israeli' captives for Palestinian prisoners is pending approval by 'Israel’s' security cabinet. Once approved, the deal will take effect, and discussions on a permanent end to the war will follow.

 

Four days before his second inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump told the Dan Bongino Show that the negotiations would not have been completed without intervention from his team, including Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

 

"If we weren’t involved, this deal would’ve never happened," Trump stated. "We changed its course quickly, and frankly, it better be done before I take the oath of office."

 

'Israel’s' security cabinet was scheduled to meet on Friday to finalize the terms of the ceasefire, which could start as early as Sunday, just ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

 

Trump criticized Joe Biden for claiming credit for the agreement, calling him “ungracious.” Trump said, “He didn’t do anything! If we hadn’t stepped in, the hostages would never have been released.”

 

Biden had previously proposed a similar ceasefire last May, with terms closely aligned to the current deal.

 

The proposed agreement includes an initial 42-day truce, the release of 33 captives, and the withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from Gaza’s population centers. The second phase aims to achieve a “permanent end to the war,” according to Biden.

 

In an interview with MSNBC on Thursday, Biden noted he had not recently discussed the negotiations with Trump.