Trump wants Gaza ceasefire deal before he becomes US president

President-elect of the United States Donald Trump has said that he wants to see a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza before he assumes office on January 20 next year. 

In the exclusive interview given to US media Axios, Senator Lindsey Graham revealed this wish of Trump. 

"Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now," Graham said.

Graham spoke to Axios after returning from a visit to the Middle East where he met the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Getting a Gaza deal is one of President Biden's top priorities during his last two months in office, but the lack of any clear progress in recent weeks suggests it might land on Trump's plate. Israeli officials believe the Trump administration might take a different approach to Gaza, specifically on what the "day after" the war would look like.

Graham speaks with Trump frequently and advises him on foreign policy, especially on the Middle East. He said Trump wants a deal to free the hostages and end the war as soon as possible, preferably before he takes office. 

Additionally, Graham said Trump needs a deal in Gaza before he can focus on his key foreign policy objectives in the region, like Israel-Saudi normalization and a regional alliance against Iran.

The senator argued that diplomacy in the region would be easier due to Trump's win because people are afraid of him. "If you are a bad guy and you are not afraid of Trump then you are also a dumb guy. Bad and dumb guys don't last long."