President-elect Donald Trump is stepping into a role that could define his early presidency: chief negotiator in the Gaza crisis, where 101 hostages, including seven Americans, hang in the balance.
In a revealing phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Trump appeared taken aback upon learning that approximately half the hostages are believed to be alive.
President Biden has extended an olive branch to Trump, offering to work together during the transition period. "I don't care if Trump gets all the credit as long as they come back home," Biden reportedly told American hostage families after meeting with Trump at the Oval Office.
The situation has drawn compelling parallels to Ronald Reagan's presidency, when 52 American hostages in Iran were released moments after his inauguration.
This historical echo hasn't gone unnoticed by families of current hostages. Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of captured U.S. citizen Omer Neutra, wrote an emotional open letter to Trump in the Washington Post, hoping for a similar breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Israeli security chiefs have painted a sobering picture to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting Hamas is unlikely to budge on its demands for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu remains firm in his position, refusing to end military operations in exchange for hostages, arguing such a move would signal defeat.
Trump's incoming administration has already signaled its approach. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump will serve as "America's Negotiator in Chief," promising stricter sanctions against Iran while maintaining unwavering support for Israel.
Israeli officials suggest Trump might wield more influence over Netanyahu than Biden has managed to achieve. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and close to Trump's incoming team, advocates for immediate action, urging Trump to set clear demands and consequences before his inauguration.
As regional powers like Iran and Qatar appear to recalibrate their positions following Trump's election victory, the stage is set for what could be the first major test of Trump's self-proclaimed deal-making abilities in his second term.
Axios contributed to this article.
