Trump warned: "Great chaos will ensue if the ceasefire in Gaza fails"
Agencies
19/01/2025
Trump warned "great chaos" would ensue if both sides failed to abide by the ceasefire agreement for the ransom that is expected to take effect this morning. - Reuters file photo
US President-elect Donald Trump said he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "continue what needs to be done" while stressing his desire to see the war between Israel and Hamas end.
At the same time, he again warned that "great chaos will ensue" if both sides fail to comply with the ceasefire agreement for ransom which is expected to come into effect this morning.
Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Saturday that he planned to meet Netanyahu "in the near future" but declined to provide further details about the meeting. He also said he had told Netanyahu "this has to end" but also reminded him to "just keep doing what you have to do."
Asked if he was confident that hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza would be released as part of the deal, Trump said: "We'll see it soon and it's better to come true."
He added that the US would demand "respect" to ensure that the deal was complied with and warned of the consequences if it failed.
"The United States needs to be respected again and it needs to be done urgently. But respect is the main word I use," he said.
"If they respect us, it will work. If they don't respect us, there will be a big mess."
The incoming US national security adviser, Mike Waltz and the incoming Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, are working with the Joe Biden administration to help facilitate the ceasefire agreement. - Agency
