Washington – Praise for Trump’s Peace Deal
Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, perhaps a bit reluctantly, acknowledged President Trump’s role in brokering a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, something former President Joe Biden struggled to achieve.
Sullivan suggested that “time and circumstances” favored Trump, arguing that the framework of the deal bears resemblance to ideas the previous administration had considered to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Sullivan explained the delay in Biden’s efforts to secure a deal: “After a long time, we’re finally getting a deal.” He noted that talks hadn’t produced results in the earlier months of the year, mentioning April through September.
“This is also an aspect the Trump administration has to consider, given their time in office,” he added.
Recently, Hamas accepted a peace plan promoted by Trump, with Israel’s cabinet giving it the green light the following day. Trump had unveiled a 20-point peace initiative on September 29.
Sullivan, a key player in the Biden administration’s attempts to halt the violence, now sees Marco Rubio stepping into his old role as Secretary of State.
“I’m still holding my breath because I want to see families reunited with their loved ones after nearly two years of hardship,” he shared regarding the agreement. “I feel optimistic today, but I won’t be completely at ease until it’s fully in effect.”
Hamas is expected to release 20 hostages by Monday, coinciding with an influx of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
On Monday, Trump is set to arrive in Israel, where he will address Congress before traveling to Egypt to celebrate this significant diplomatic win.
During the interview, Sullivan spent a considerable time downplaying Trump’s involvements, yet when asked if Trump deserved acknowledgment, he conceded, “I give President Trump credit. I give President Trump credit. [Special envoy Steve] Witkoff, [Jared] Kushner, and Rubio—they have tough jobs.”
“The real question is whether we can ensure this continues as we move forward,” he added.
Sullivan maintained that the peace plan isn’t vastly different from what the Biden administration had proposed. “It’s quite similar conceptually. Hamas shouldn’t remain in power. The international community, especially Gulf states, must invest in Gaza’s reconstruction,” he noted. “We need a transitional governing body and robust support from Arab nations.”
“Many of these elements have been on the table for a while,” he continued, “and I think one notable shift is the overall situation.”
