The Guardian - (archived: https://archive.ph/tHkwD ) Netanyahu says he held ‘friendly’ talks with Trump over Syria and Gaza hostages

Israeli PM spoke of ‘warm’ discussion with US president-elect amid pressure from Trump camp for progress on hostage releases

Staff and agencies
Sun 15 Dec 2024 21.06 EST



Benjamin Netanyahu has said he spoke to Donald Trump over the weekend about his plans in Syria and efforts to secure the release of hostages in Gaza amid a wave of strikes in the territory.

The Israeli prime minister said in an address on Sunday night: “We had a very friendly, warm and important discussion. We discussed the need to complete Israel’s victory and we spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages.”

Netanyahu said he spoke to Trump on Saturday night about the issue, which is likely to loom large as one of the main foreign policy challenges facing Trump when he takes office on 20 January. “We will continue to act relentlessly to return home all of our hostages, the living and the deceased,” Netanyahu said.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, warned last week during a visit to the region that it would “not be a pretty day” if the hostages held in Gaza were not released before Trump’s inauguration.

A Trump spokesperson on Sunday declined to give further details about the call. Trump said earlier this month there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East if the hostages were not released before he came into office.

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