David Ignatius, a Washington Post columnist, praised President Donald Trump for achieving what former President Joe Biden “could never do” regarding the Gaza peace deal. On Wednesday night, Trump announced a “historic” first step: a truce between Israel and Hamas, including the initial exchange of hostages and prisoners. He claimed on Truth Social that “ALL of the hostages will be released very soon,” calling the arrangement “unprecedented.”
Ignatius made his remarks on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, where host Joe Scarborough noted that Israeli and Arab officials believed only Trump could resolve the conflict. Ignatius recalled that soon after the conflict began, an Israeli official told him they felt disoriented and expected the U.S. to make decisions for them. He said, “Joe Biden could never do that. And Donald Trump was able to do it,” highlighting Trump’s decisive stance that the war must end and Israel should not annex the West Bank, a move supported by some right-wing Israelis.
Ignatius commended Trump for quietly sending his team, including “unlikely emissary” Steve Witkoff, to work behind the scenes toward a 20-point peace plan, showing Middle Eastern leaders his seriousness about peace. He contrasted this with Biden, saying, “For all his desire for peace, [Biden] wasn’t able to do” what Trump did.
New York Times columnist Elisabeth Bumiller echoed the praise, sharing that Israelis she spoke to last summer believed only Trump had the leverage to pressure Netanyahu. She noted the current relief and celebration in Israel but cautioned about the challenges ahead, including Hamas’s disarmament and Gaza’s future governance.
Still, Bumiller called the announcement “a very, very positive, happy day,” highlighting the hope that this initial progress could lead to a more lasting peace despite the uncertainties that remain.
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