GOP Senator Blasts Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal As Trump Praises It
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) hammered the cease-fire deal announced by President Joe Biden on Wednesday between Israel and Hamas. The deal includes an end to fighting as well as Hamas releasing some of the Israeli hostages it continues to hold in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails.
“Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to cram down a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door? The only “deal” should be unconditional surrender by Hamas—which is already nearly destroyed—and return of ALL hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden is demanding that Israel withdraw from key terrain in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for every one hostage, and get back only SOME hostages?” Cotton fumed in a post on X.
“Here’s the “deal” to offer Hamas and its patron, Iran: you have five days to release ALL the hostages or we ‘unleash hell,’” added Cotton.
Ironically, as Cotton blasted the deal as a failure of Biden’s leadership, incoming President Donald Trump took credit for it.
“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump posted to his Truth Social platform.
The president-elect followed that post with a second that declared the deal was only possible as a “result of our Historic Victory in November.”
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” Trump wrote, adding:
With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords.
This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World! We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!
The deal will require additional stages to both maintain the truce as well as release the hostages remaining under Hamas’s control.
