Middle East: Trump calls for final Gaza deal before taking office

US President-elect Donald Trump is calling for a final agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza war before his inauguration on Monday. “This had better be done before I take the oath of office,” Trump said in a broadcast by US podcaster Dan Bongino. The Republican will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday in Washington.

Trump once again claimed that without his influence no agreement at all in the conflict would have been reached. He complained that outgoing President Joe Biden was portraying this as his own negotiating success. “He didn’t do anything,” said the 78-year-old, referring to Biden. “If we hadn’t intervened, the hostages would never be released.” He added: “I’m not looking for recognition. I want to get these people out.”

Biden and the mediating state of Qatar announced an agreement in the conflict on Wednesday after months of indirect negotiations. The agreement between Israel and the Islamist Hamas envisages a multi-stage process that should lead to the cessation of fighting in the Gaza Strip and the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The ceasefire is due to come into force on Sunday.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet confirmed the agreement – the Israeli government still has to agree. Since details still remained unclear, negotiations continued on Thursday in the Qatari capital Doha.