IDF General Discusses Ceasefire Deal
In the aftermath of fifteen months of unrelenting conflict between Israel and Hamas, a long-stalled cease-fire agreement has finally gained traction, with IDF Reserve Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi attributing the shift to a mix of geopolitical dynamics and direct threats from President-elect Donald Trump. The agreement, set to take effect on January 19, just one day before Trump’s inauguration, marks a significant turning point in the volatile Middle East landscape.
According to Avivi, the cease-fire deal had been on the table since May of the previous year but was consistently rejected by Hamas. The group, emboldened by a lack of external pressure, had no incentive to negotiate. “Israel wanted to stop some of the humanitarian aid, especially some of the gasoline, but the [Biden] administration wouldn’t let us do that,” Avivi explained. With little leverage, Israel’s attempts to push for an agreement were repeatedly stonewalled.
But as Avivi pointed out in an interview with Your World, “two things” fundamentally altered the equation. First, the regional dynamics shifted in Israel’s favor.
“Israel defeated Hezbollah, and Hezbollah cannot support Hamas anymore. Also, Syria fell. Iran is weaker,” Avivi noted, describing the regional destabilization that left Hamas increasingly isolated. These developments eroded Hamas’s support structure, leaving it vulnerable.
NEW: Biden’s own state department gives credit to Trump for the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, an hour after Biden gave the credit to himself.
That has to hurt.
“When it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump's team, it has been absolutely critical in getting this deal… pic.twitter.com/IYI7bDrOPV
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 15, 2025
The second, and arguably most decisive, factor was President-elect Trump’s firm stance. Trump’s direct threat to Hamas on January 7—warning that “all hell will break out” if hostages are not returned by the time of his inauguration—sent a clear message.
As Avivi explained, Hamas recognized that delaying a deal would only worsen their position. “They made their own assessment, and they are inclined to do the deal, thinking that they’ll maximize what they can get now and not wait to see what ‘hell’ means,” Avivi said.
Notably, the White House under President Biden also acknowledged the role of President-elect Trump’s incoming Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in facilitating the agreement. National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby commended Witkoff as a key figure in brokering the deal, underscoring the bipartisan recognition of the importance of securing a cease-fire at this critical juncture.
While the agreement represents a momentary triumph, Avivi sounded a note of caution, expressing doubts about Hamas’s long-term adherence to the deal. “This is just the beginning,” he warned, adding that Hamas may attempt to “trick Israel in one way or another.” The general’s skepticism highlights the precarious nature of cease-fire agreements in a region long plagued by mistrust and cycles of violence.