IDF general credits Trump threat as ‘big change’ in securing ceasefire after Hamas rejects same deal in May

IDF reserve brig. General Amir Avivi says “two things” changed about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement after fifteen months of conflict in the Middle East.

“This deal has been on the table since last May and Hamas was completely against it. Why? There was no real pressure on Hamas,” Avivi told “Your World” on Wednesday. “Israel wanted to stop some of the humanitarian aid, especially some of the gasoline, but the administration wouldn’t let us do that. So Israel doesn’t have much leverage over them.”

“What’s changed are two things,” Avivi told Fox News. “First, Israel defeated Hezbollah, and Hezbollah cannot support Hamas anymore. Syria also fell. Iran is weaker. But the big change is President Trump’s threat.”

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“Once President Trump threatened them that if they don’t release the hostages, there will be hell… I think they understand that if they don’t get a deal now, the chances of getting a good deal for them will be very, very low, if at all. And so they made their own assessment, and they tend to do the deal, and they think they want to maximize what they can get now, and not wait to see, what ‘hell’ means,” said Avivi.

IDF forces are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Office)

On Wednesday, President Biden’s White House national security communications adviser, John Kirby, acknowledged President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, as a key figure in brokering the deal.

President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas on January 7 that “hell will break loose” if the hostages are not returned at his inauguration.

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The agreement is to enter into force on January 19, one day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Avivi expressed uncertainty about whether the agreement between the two nations will hold and warned that Hamas may try to do “various tricks and try to fool Israel in one way or another.”

It is “just the beginning” and we must “wait and see,” Avivi stressed.

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