The father of an Israeli-American hostage said he has “tremendous gratitude” for President-elect Trump’s team after the ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war went into effect on Sunday.
“You are scheduled to attend the inauguration ceremony tomorrow. What is it? What is your message to the incoming Trump team about the importance of keeping this work going?” ABC News’ Jonathan Karl asked Jonathan Dekel-Chen on “This Week.”
“First of all, thank you so much,” Dekel-Chen, the father of hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, responded.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen also said President Biden’s team has done an absolutely incredible job in putting the superstructure of this deal together.
“But it took President-elect Trump’s tweet and follow-up statement to bring this home. “And what we’re asking President Trump and his team to do is to continue to point out this issue because it’s the Middle East,” he added. “It’s an unstable place.”
Fighting in the Gaza Strip came to a halt on Sunday as a new ceasefire took effect. The cessation of fighting in the region is part of the first phase of a ceasefire that includes the release of 33 hostages Hamas has held for more than a year.
“I heard Sagui is on the 33-man roster,” Karl said.
“Yes, he is on the 33-man list,” Dekel-Chen replied.
White House national security adviser John Finer also said Sunday that Trump’s team had provided “significant support” in the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
“We’ve had significant support from the Trump team. We’ve been very transparent about that. We kept it completely up to date,” Finer told Karl on “This Week.”
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
