Watch: Trump Speaks on Hostages, Peace, Iran, and More

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Quite a few of us have been looking at developments in the Middle East, primarily between Israel and Hamas, with a healthy dose of skepticism. Hamas, after all, we have learned from long and bitter experience, can't be trusted to keep any deal.

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But, right now, there's cause for some cautious optimism. The last surviving hostages, held by Hamas since the Oct. 7th, 2023, attack, have been released to Israel. The remains of those who were - let's be honest about this - murdered by Hamas are being searched for now. In a presser just ahead of Monday's peace talks in Israel, President Trump answered some questions about developments, and what he had to say was revealing.

First, on the hostages.

Townhall Media's own Katie Pavlich asked: "Now that the living hostages have been returned, can you please tell us what the next steps are to this peace deal?"

The president replied: 

Well, they're going and looking for bodies. It's a pretty gruesome task. And they're, they know where numerous are, as you know, I guess five or six are in yet now, but they're looking for bodies. They know the areas and the search parties out, and they're doing it in conjunction with Israel. And they'll, they're going to be finding quite a few of them.

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That was one of the conditions of the deal, of course. It's long overdue, and some of those bodies that are being sought now may have been returned alive had the deal happened a year ago - but then, we all remember who was seated in the Oval Office a year ago, not doing much of anything. 

Second, on Iran.

President Trump said:

They took a big hit. And frankly, if we didn't hit them on the nuclear (sic) I don't think we would have been able to have this incredible... this deal that's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. Nobody has ever seen anything like what's happening today. And countries have all come together. All different countries. Some like each other, some didn't, most didn't. And they've all come together. Every country has come together. And by the way, Iran did put out a statement, you know, that they support this deal very wholeheartedly. So that was, in itself, something. I think they want to... That's all I do in my life, I make deals. And they want to make a deal.

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Hamas and Iran want to make a deal now because they are looking at the United States and seeing strength. That's the only thing the mullahs and the jihadis respect - strength. Now, look at this deal unfolding now in the Middle East, look at the hostages who have come home alive, and ask yourself if this would have happened were Kamala Harris in the White House today. 

I think we all know the answer to that.

Finally, a humorous interchange between President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio:

The exchange:

SecState: This is clearly...probably one of the most important days for world peace in 50 years. That's not an exaggeration.

Trump: Only 50? 

Rubio: Maybe 100!


Read More: NYT 'Analyst' Flies Wingman for Hamas, Warns Terrorist Group Faces 'Big Risk' by Releasing Hostages

Free at Last: Hamas Releases Remaining Living Hostages As Critical Part of Peace Plan Comes to Fruition


Watch today's news, because there are likely to be historic developments in the Middle East. Will they be lasting developments? That depends in great measure on whether Hamas and their ilk are willing to abide by any deal, and for how long. Bear in mind that it may take only one frantic nutcase to fly off the handle, and all this could flare up again. And, as always, the elephant in the room is Iran, and here President Trump sounds an optimistic tone. While the mullahs are still looking at the smoking ruins of their nuclear program, he may be right about Iran's sudden enthusiasm for a peace deal between Israel and Iran's proxies in Gaza.

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I think we all know, however, how far Iran can be trusted, and that distance can only be measured with a micrometer.

For now, though, let's enjoy the warm feeling of peace in the Middle East, for however long it lasts - and remember that this likely would not have happened but for President Donald John Trump.

Editor's Note: Donald Trump is America's Peace Time President. Support and follow RedState's latest reporting on the president's historic trip to the Middle East. Join RedState and use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your membership.

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