US President-elect Donald Trump hailed an "epic" ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday -- and claimed credit for an accord that comes days before he is due to be sworn in for his second term, reports AFP.
"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly. Thank you!" Trump said on his Truth Social network, before any official announcement from outgoing President Joe Biden's White House.
Trump had warned Palestinian armed group Hamas of "hell to pay" if it did not free the captives before he took office, and envoys from both his incoming administration and Biden's outgoing one had been present at the latest negotiations.
"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November," Trump added in a lengthy second post.
The Republican said his 2024 US election win had "signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies."
He added that he was "thrilled" about the release of the hostages taken by Hamas in its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Those taken included several Americans.
The attack sparked a war that has seen Israel level large swaths of Gaza, killing at least 46,707 people, most of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the UN considers reliable.
Hamas's attack resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. The group took 251 people hostage during the attack, 94 of whom are still being held in Gaza. At least 34 are dead, according to the Israeli military.
Trump returns to the White House on Monday -- meaning that much of the implementation of the Gaza deal will play out under his incoming administration.
The 78-year-old said his national security team would "work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven."
Trump also signaled he would push for an elusive deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
He said he would "build upon the momentum of this ceasefire" to expand the Abraham Accords from his first term, which established diplomatic ties between Israel and the Gulf countries of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Trump's incoming National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, credited the Gaza deal in a post on X to "The Trump Effect."
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