While Trump, Biden praised the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, some Republicans called it a ‘bad deal’.
While President-elect Trump and President Biden are jockeying for credit for the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, some Republicans are wary of whether the accord will hold or hold.
“There is no part of me that believes in Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Fatah or the rank and file people who voted for Hamas,” Brian Mast, R-Fla., the new chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee told Fox News Digital.
“There’s no part of me that believes in them in any way. From the fact that President Trump came in, Secretary Rubio and Stefanik, other things (and) things that don’t go on, I believe there’s a fear of God. Programs like UNRWA,” he added, referring to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. “A chilling effect.” I believe there is, you know, how you see the world in the future. But there’s no part of me that believes them at all.”
Asked if he was honoring the deal with some of his colleagues, Mast said, “I’m as skeptical as anything.”
“If it brings the Americans home, I’m happy to bring the Americans home,” Mast continued. “It’s been a problem for me, you know, if there are Americans who are imprisoned abroad, I would hope that an American would come to get them. And for me, unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
The ceasefire agreement aims to repatriate the remaining hostages taken from Israel and provide a path to peace for the 2 million Palestinians living in the war zone since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a bloody Israeli offensive. .
Trump has vowed “hell to pay” if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas do not agree to a cease-fire until they are in power. (AP/Sebastian Shiner)
The deal has implications for America: the seven hostages remaining in Hamas’ custody are Americans.
“Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to force a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door?” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on Ex. “The only ‘deal’ would be an unconditional surrender by Hamas – already nearly destroyed – and the return of all hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden will demand Israel withdraw from a key position in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for each hostage, and return only a limited number of hostages. ?
Sources confirmed to Fox News Digital’s Israel Report that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, went to Doha, Qatar and strong-armed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broker a deal that saved the Biden administration for good. Part of last year.
In the year The first ceasefire agreement in November 2023 lasted only a week, with both sides accusing the other of violations. During that time, 105 hostages, 240 Palestinian prisoners were released.
Israel’s Netanyahu delays Gaza ceasefire vote, accuses Hamas of trying to pull out of deal
When Trump took office, he promised there would be “hell to pay” if a cease-fire was not reached, which would happen on January 20. His successors have forged close ties with Arab leaders in swing states such as Michigan during the campaign. , Trump has promised to bring peace to the Middle East.
Senator Tom Cotton called the ceasefire a “bad deal”. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images/File)
According to Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast Ar-Fala, I do not believe that either Hamas or the Palestinians will support the agreement. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images/File)
Israel-Hamas cease-fire, hostage release deal reached: ‘Americans will be part of that’
It was drafted in three chapters, coordinated by Qatari negotiators with help from both the outgoing Biden administration and Witkoff mediation. The first day – Sunday – sees three hostages released each week with new hostages released. That phase calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphia Corridor on the Egyptian border and the so-called buffer zone in the Gaza Strip bordering Israel.
Priority is given to women, children and men over 50 years of age. In the first phase of 42 days, the 33 remaining Israeli hostages will be released for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
This group includes some convicted murderers. On Thursday, Netanyahu delayed approving the deal amid a dispute over whether he could veto the release of prisoners accused of murder. Israel’s cabinet will now meet on Friday to approve the deal.
“This EPIC ceasefire is possible because of our historic victory in November, because it shows that my administration wants peace and will negotiate agreements to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies,” on social media.
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“My diplomacy has not stopped in their efforts to do this,” Biden said from the White House.
He added, “This plan was prepared and negotiated by my team, and it will be mostly implemented by the incoming administration.”
