‘You want to call Trump, Bibi?’: How incoming US president’s wrath was leveraged to close hostage deal

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1. 1h ago

   Trump Wrath Leveraged in January 2025 Hostage Deal

   Incoming administration pressure played a critical role in closing the January 2025 Gaza hostage and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. According to a new book by former senior Biden administration Middle East adviser Brett McGurk, threats were repeatedly issued to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli negotiators warning of Donald Trump's wrath if they delayed talks on the verge of a deal. The effective warnings were delivered by incoming Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. This rare cooperation between outgoing Biden officials and the incoming Trump team helped push the parties to finalize the accord.

   Why it matters

   The revelations emerge from Brett McGurk's book chronicling the intense final push of negotiations to free October 7 hostages. The tactical deployment of Trump's anticipated return to power highlights an unusual cross-administration alignment to secure a breakthrough. It sheds light on the behind-the-scenes pressure applied to Israeli leadership during the critical transition period before the January 2025 inauguration.

   What is confirmed

   • A book by former senior Biden administration official Brett McGurk reveals that incoming Trump Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff repeatedly threatened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Donald Trump's wrath if Israel slow-walked the hostage negotiations.
   • The pressure from Trump helped push Israel and Hamas toward the January 2025 hostage and ceasefire agreement.
   • Brett McGurk served as a top Middle East adviser to then-US president Joe Biden.

   What to watch next

   • Further official releases or independent corroboration regarding the transition-era negotiations
   • Additional details from Brett McGurk's book regarding the mechanics of the Israel-Hamas talks
   Sources used for this update (29)

   1. www.timesofisrael.com — Jacob Magid - The Times of Israel
   2. www.youtube.com — YouTube
   3. play.google.com — YouTube - Apps on Google Play
   4. The New York Times — ‘Ready to Blow His Stack’: How Biden Nearly Cut Off Netanyahu Over Gaza
   5. en.wikipedia.org — You (TV series) - Wikipedia
   6. CBS News — Key Biden aide Brett McGurk on Hamas, Iran, Saudi Arabia and why U.S. nearly took "draconian measures" against Israel
   7. The Times of Israel — ‘You want to call Trump, Bibi?’: How incoming president’s wrath was leveraged to close hostage deal
   8. nytimes.com — What Went Wrong in the Effort to Free the Oct. 7 Hostages?
   9. The Jerusalem Post — Biden aide Brett McGurk reveals the White House's race to save the hostages
   10. KSLM Radio — Former Top Security Official Says Cutting Off Funding to Israel Wouldn't Have Ended Gaza War
   11. Algemeiner.com — The Hostage-Taker’s Ledger
   12. PBS — Brett McGurk chronicles negotiations to free Oct. 7 hostages in 'Brink'
   confidence 95%