Trump's allies claim credit for progress on a Gaza deal, highlighting Trump's warnings to Hamas that there would be "hell to pay" if it didn't agree to release hostages before his inauguration. A Trump transition official argued these threats were more effective than recent efforts by the Biden administration.

Amid the relief over a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and an end to the slaughter in Gaza, there are also plenty of questions about why the deal couldn't have been signed eight months ago.