Rogers credits Trump for contributing to the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal

January 15, 2025 - Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL03), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that President Trump's return contributed to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.

"President Trump's policy of peace through strength is already yielding results. Terrorists are on notice," said Chairman Rogers.

President Trump agrees.

"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies," President Trump said in a statement. "I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones."

"With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven," Trump continued. "We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!"

"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House," added Trump. "Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States."

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal that includes the return of the hostages

Hamas has agreed to swap 33 of the most vulnerable hostages to Israel. In exchange Hamas will receive hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as well as a temporary ceasefire in the first six weeks.

If that first six-week ceasefire goes well a second phase will begin that will include Hamas handing over the remainder of their Israeli prisoners in exchange for a permanent ceasefire that will include continued negotiations.

During the first phase, Israeli troops will withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. During the second phase Israel will withdraw from most of Gaza; but will maintain a buffer zone to prevent future cross border attacks like the ones on October 6, 2023 by Hamas that led to the war that followed.

Israel will retain control of both the Philadelphi Corridor at the Gaza-Egypt border and the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza.

A future third phase of the agreement would presumably include the return of the bodies of dead and a post-war Gaza reconstruction plan.

The families of the American hostages held by Hamas said they were "grateful" for the news.

"We have been waiting for 467 days while our family members suffer from life-threatening injuries, abuse, torture, and sexual violence," the families of the American hostages said in a statement. "We thank President Biden, President-elect Trump, and their teams for their constructive efforts to make this possible."

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) is the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We don't trust Hamas," said Chairman Mast said in a statement. "We trust that President Trump has put the fear of God into Hamas."

The latest ceasefire and hostage release deal has been negotiated with mediation by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt, in on-and-off talks for more than a year.

More than 100 hostages were swapped for the release of Palestinian prisoners and more foreign aid into Gaza and a temporary ceasefire in November 2023.

Israel also has a ceasefire in place with Hezbollah in Lebanon after more than a year of fighting in which Israel destroyed most of the Iranian-backed terrorist group's ability to wage war. Hezbollah was so degraded militarily that when Sunni rebels in Syria launched their final offensive on the Al-Assad government in Syria (a decades long Iran and Hezbollah ally) the terror group was not in any position to render aid to the Assads.

Original reporting by the Hill contributed to this report.

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