The IDF general hailed Trump’s threat as a ‘major change’ in securing a ceasefire after Hamas rejected a similar deal in May.
IDF Brig. General Amir Avivi says “two things” have changed about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement after fifteen months of conflict in the Middle East.
“This agreement has been on the table since May of last year and Hamas was completely against it. Why? There was no real pressure on Hamas,” Avivi told “Izwe Lako” on Wednesday. “Israel wanted to stop some humanitarian aid, especially fuel, but the administration refused to allow us to do that. So Israel does not have much power over them.”
“Two things have changed,” Avivi told Fox News. “First, Israel defeated Hezbollah and Hezbollah can no longer support Hamas. Also, Syria fell. Iran is weak. But the biggest change is the threat of President Trump.”
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“When President Trump threatened them, that if they don’t release the hostages, there will be hell … little, if any. Therefore, they did their own self-assessment, and they are inclined to make a deal, thinking that they will increase what they can get now and not waiting to see what ‘hell’ means,” said Avivi.
IDF soldiers are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesperson’s Office)
On Wednesday, President Biden’s National Security Advisor at the White House, John Kirby, welcomed President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a key figure in negotiating the deal.
President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas on Jan. 7 that “all hell will break loose” if the captives are not returned by his appointment.
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The agreement is expected to come into force on Jan. 19, one day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Avivi expressed uncertainty about whether an agreement between the two nations would be reached, warning that Hamas might try “different tactics and try to deceive Israel in some way.”
“It’s just the beginning” and we’ll have to “wait and see,” Avivi stressed.
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