January 17, 2025
Washington DC: President-elect Donald J. Trump’s assertive stance against Hamas has been credited with catalyzing the recently announced Gaza ceasefire agreement and the phased release of hostages, according to American evangelical leader Mike Evans.
“Donald Trump is the reason the hostages are going home,” said Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, in an interview on Wednesday. “He has succeeded in his objectives.”
Trump had repeatedly warned since his election victory two months ago that “all hell would break out” if Hamas failed to release the nearly 100 hostages it has been holding before his inauguration on Monday. This rhetoric, Evans claimed, created the pressure necessary for the breakthrough.
Details of the Accord
The agreement, revealed on Wednesday, includes the release of 33 hostages—both living and deceased—over the next six weeks, starting Sunday, the eve of Trump’s inauguration. The ceasefire aims to halt hostilities in Gaza as part of a broader negotiation framework mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Outgoing President Joe Biden dismissed suggestions that Trump’s threats were instrumental in the deal. However, Trump’s supporters argue that his firm approach was key to the agreement’s formation.
Evangelical Support and Regional Predictions
Evans, a staunch supporter of Trump, praised the president-elect’s foreign policy posture, which he described as both decisive and strategic. Evans also suggested that Israel had missed an opportunity to launch a preemptive strike against Iran’s oil infrastructure before Trump’s inauguration, arguing that Trump would support such an action as long as it remained swift and contained.
“Trump will not go to war against Iran because he is an anti-war president,” Evans said. “But he will 100% support an Israeli attack on Iran during his presidency as long as it is done quickly and doesn’t drag on.”
Evans also predicted that 2025 would see the signing of a historic peace accord between Israel and Saudi Arabia, alongside U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over parts of Judea and Samaria.
Inauguration and Regional Implications
As Trump prepares to take office, the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem is set to host an inauguration event on Monday evening, celebrating what many evangelical Christians view as a pivotal moment in U.S.-Israel relations.
The ceasefire agreement and hostage release plan mark a significant development in the volatile Gaza conflict, signaling the potential for further regional shifts under Trump’s leadership. Whether the accord holds or unravels remains to be seen, but Trump’s supporters are framing it as an early victory for the incoming administration.