Some Republicans criticize Trump and Biden for the Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement.

Some Republicans are concerned about the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, even as President-elect Trump and President Biden claim credit for it.

Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., the new Foreign Affairs Committee chair, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he does not trust Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa martyrs Brigade, Fatah, or the people who voted for Hamas.

"I don't trust them at all because of their fear of God, as evidenced by President Trump's arrival, Secretary Rubio and Stefanik, and the fact that UNRWA programs won't continue. I believe there's a chilling effect on how they see the world going forward, but I don't trust them in any way."

Mast expressed skepticism about the deal, saying, "I'm not sure if I'm celebrating the deal itself alongside some of my colleagues."

"If it brings Americans back home, I'm content. I've always believed that if there are Americans held abroad, an American should come to rescue them. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened."

The cease-fire aims to return the remaining hostages from Israel and establish a path to peace for the 2 million Palestinians who have been living in a war zone since the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

The seven American hostages still held by Hamas have significant consequences for the U.S.

"Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X that "Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to cram down a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door?" The only "deal" should be unconditional surrender by Hamas, which is already nearly destroyed, and the return of all hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden is demanding that Israel withdraw from key terrain in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for every one hostage, and get back only some hostages."

According to sources, it was Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy, who traveled to Doha, Qatar and pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal that had eluded the Biden administration's mediation for most of the past year.

In November 2023, a cease-fire was declared, but it lasted only one week, with both sides accusing each other of breaking it. During this time, 105 hostages were released, and 240 Palestinian prisoners were freed.

Trump had promised that there would be consequences if a cease-fire was not reached before he took office on January 20. His campaign surrogates formed close ties with Arab leaders in swing states like Michigan, assuring voters that Trump would bring peace to the Middle East.

The three-phase deal, facilitated by Qatari negotiators and mediated by both the Biden administration and Witkoff, will see the release of three hostages on the first day, followed by new hostages being freed each week. This phase will involve the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor on Egypt's border and the buffer zone in the Gazan territory adjacent to Israel.

Initially, women, children, and men over 50 will be given priority. During the 42-day first phase, 33 Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The deal over the release of convicted murderers will be ratified by Israel's Cabinet on Friday.

The ceasefire agreement was a result of our historic victory in November, which signaled to the world that our administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies, Trump wrote on social media.

"I never stopped my diplomacy in trying to achieve this goal," said Biden from the White House.

My team developed and negotiated this plan, which will be mostly executed by the incoming administration.