Axios reports that President-elect Donald J. Trump wants to see a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip before assuming the presidency on January 20, 2025, according to U.S. Senator Lindsey Olin Graham (R-SC).
Following his trip to the Middle East, in which he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Graham contended that Trump needs a deal in Gaza before he can focus on his key foreign policy objectives in the region (e.g., Israel-Saudi normalization and a regional alliance against Iran).
There are still 101 hostages being held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, including seven American citizens; however, Israeli intelligence services believe that only about half of them are still alive.
The Axios article may be read in full HERE.
Newsmax reports that according to Senator Graham, “the best insurance policy against Hamas is not an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza, but a reform in the Palestinian society. The only ones who can do that are the Arab countries.”
Graham added that President-elect Trump will have leverage once he takes office, and stated that “if you are a bad guy and you are not afraid of Trump, then you are also a dumb guy. Bad and dumb guys don’t last long.”
The Newsmax article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, it is no surprise that Trump confidently, if not arrogantly, believes that he will quickly bring an end to the fighting in the Gaza Strip and bring home the few remaining hostages who are still alive, especially considering Hezbollah’s sudden willingness to attain a ceasefire with Israel and Iran’s failure to respond following Israel’s most-recent attack against Iranian military targets.
Most of the world’s dictatorial or communist-led countries respect only one thing, a legitimate threat of force.
The Bible reminds us to turn away from evil and seek peace, and that there is safety – whether for the Jewish people or Americans – when we abide in the presence of God!
Psalm 34:14 (Amplified Bible)
“Turn away from evil and do good; [s]eek peace and pursue it.”
Psalm 91:1-2 and 9-11 (NKJV)
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High [s]hall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; [m]y God, in Him I will trust.’ … Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, [e]ven the Most High, your dwelling place, [n]o evil shall befall you, [n]or shall any plague come near your dwelling; [f]or He shall give His angels charge over you, [t]o keep you in all your ways.”
