The former US president said the Republican deserves great credit for mediating an end to the war in the Middle East

Former US President Bill Clinton has praised incumbent Donald Trump for his role in negotiating a ceasefire and prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas.

"I'm grateful that a ceasefire has taken hold, that the last 20 living hostages have been freed, and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza," Clinton said in a statement on Monday.

"President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached," he added.

The former president urged Israel and Hamas to "try to turn this fragile moment into lasting peace that provides for the dignity and security of both Palestinians and Israelis."

Trump and mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye signed the ceasefire on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh, on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. According to the first phase of the deal, Israel withdrew its troops from parts of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas freed the 20 remaining hostages in exchange for the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

During the signing ceremony, Trump said that "everybody's happy" with the agreement, which "has taken off like a rocket ship." He expressed confidence that the war, which broke out in October 2023, is over. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump for his efforts, describing him as the "greatest friend" Israel has ever had.

It remains unclear whether the deal will be fully implemented. Israel has so far refused to commit to a full withdrawal from Gaza, while Hamas has declined to disarm. The previous ceasefire reached in January collapsed after two months.

(RT.com)