Photo caption: Trump
US bureau chief Jacob Magid reviews comments about the ceasefire and hostages made by new US president, Donald Trump, as he began his second term in office
Magid reviews the leadup to US President Donald Trump’s inauguration into office as the 47th president of the United States, including his role in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal that began with the release of three hostages on Sunday. Magid points out that reaching the second phase of the deal may be more difficult, due to the pressures on Netanyahu’s coalition government and the prime minister’s desire to continue fighting Hamas in Gaza.
Magid also examines Trump’s and Netanyahu’s supporters and speculates on who has sway over the two leaders.
Magid discusses Trump’s comments during the inauguration rally as he invited hostages’ families and former hostage Noa Argamani onstage and then spoke about releasing the January 6, 2021, “hostages” — meaning those arrested for their roles in the US Capitol riot.
After the inauguration and rally, says Magid, Trump signed several orders, including revoking the Biden sanctions against violent Israeli settlers, revoking the Biden order that removed Trump’s 2020 sanctions on the International Criminal Court, and ordering a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance.
Finally, Magid notes, Trump said the Gaza ceasefire may not hold and called the war in Gaza “their war, not our war,” perhaps as a way for Trump to eventually distance himself from the region.
===== The Times of Israel =======
