(MENAFN) President-elect Donald Trump is pressing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages, according to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham in an interview with Axios published on Friday. Over 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the conflict erupted following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of more than 250 hostages, with about 100 still believed to be held.

Trump is reportedly committed to securing the hostages' release and supports a ceasefire that includes this deal. He is eager for a resolution to the conflict so he can turn his attention to other issues, such as normalizing Israeli-Saudi relations and strengthening a regional coalition against Iran, Graham said. Graham, who has been in regular contact with Trump on Middle East issues, expressed hope that both the Trump and Biden administrations would collaborate during the transition period to facilitate the ceasefire and hostage release.

Hamas has indicated its readiness for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange, with senior official Sami Abu Zuhri stating that the group is "interested in reaching an agreement" to end the war in Gaza. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel is only willing to agree to a ceasefire if it leads to the release of the hostages, though he emphasized that a ceasefire wouldn't signify the end of the war against Hamas. Additionally, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, mediated by the US and France, was agreed to on November 27, though both sides have accused each other of violations.

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