‘Had enough’: Trump’s huge call after ceasefire reached

Trump ceasefire response: President demands Gaza deal enforcement as fighting halts

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

President Donald Trump declared “we’ve had enough” after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement that halted 16 months of war in Gaza.

The president spoke from the White House Rose Garden minutes after the truce took effect at 6 a.m. Eastern, calling for immediate implementation of the deal’s prisoner exchange provisions.

The ceasefire ends fighting that killed more than 46,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis since October 2023. The agreement calls for releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners during a 42-day initial phase.

“We’re watching this very closely,” Trump told reporters. “The deal must be enforced. Period.”

The president’s remarks came after weeks of diplomatic pressure from his administration, including special envoy Steve Witkoff’s shuttle diplomacy between Jerusalem, Doha and Cairo. Trump’s tone marked a shift from his campaign trail position of unconditional support for Israel, reflecting growing Republican concern over civilian casualties in Gaza.

“This isn’t about taking sides anymore,” Trump said. “It’s about stopping the killing.”

The ceasefire framework emerged from talks hosted by Egypt and Qatar, with CIA Director John Ratcliffe joining negotiations last week. The deal includes increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the UN reports 2.3 million people face severe food shortages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the agreement in a televised address, saying the Security Cabinet approved the deal 10-1 after a marathon session. “This wasn’t an easy decision,” Netanyahu said. “But we believe it will return our hostages.”

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh welcomed the truce in a statement from Doha, calling it “a victory for the resistance.” The militant group said it remained committed to Palestinian statehood demands while accepting the phased approach.

International reaction came swiftly. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the agreement “an essential first step toward lasting peace.” French President Emmanuel Macron urged “all parties to respect the ceasefire terms completely.”

The White House released a detailed implementation timeline. Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor within 48 hours. Aid trucks will increase to 600 daily from the current 150. Hostage releases begin Sunday, with women, children and elderly civilians going first.

Trump warned of consequences for violations. “If anyone breaks this deal, they’ll face serious repercussions,” he said. “We’ve made that crystal clear to all sides.”

The president dispatched Witkoff back to the region within hours of the announcement. The real estate developer turned diplomat will monitor compliance alongside Egyptian and Qatari officials.

Regional implications extend beyond Gaza. Iran’s foreign ministry praised the ceasefire while maintaining support for Palestinian “resistance.” Saudi Arabia announced it would host reconstruction talks next month, offering $5 billion toward rebuilding efforts.

Background

The conflict began October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters broke through Gaza’s border fence, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 250 hostages. Israel responded with massive airstrikes followed by a ground invasion that devastated Gaza’s infrastructure.

Previous ceasefire attempts collapsed quickly. A November 2023 truce lasted seven days. Qatar-mediated talks in January fell apart after Netanyahu rejected permanent ceasefire demands. President Joe Biden’s administration secured brief pauses for hostage releases but never achieved lasting calm.

Trump returned to office January 20 pledging to end Middle East wars. He abandoned Biden’s approach of conditioning military aid, instead threatening to cut assistance entirely if either side rejected diplomacy.

What’s Next

Implementation faces immediate tests. Israel must release Palestinian prisoners by Tuesday under the deal’s terms. Hamas must provide lists of surviving hostages within 48 hours. Both sides traded accusations of bad faith during previous pauses.

Trump said he would “personally review” compliance weekly. “This time has to be different,” the president said. “Too many lives depend on it.”