Former NATO chief says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire a 'direct result' of incoming Trump admin

James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander, said he believes the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement was successful in part because of President-elect impending Trump’s return to power.

“Iran [is] very vulnerable. What that means is that in the fight that Israel continues to have with Hezbollah … you’re seeing Hezbollah willing to go to a ceasefire,” he told radio host John Catsimatidis in a Sunday interview on “The Cats Roundtable” on WABC 770 AM.  

“I think that’s a direct result of the presence of a new Trump administration coming on.”

The truce, which started Wednesday, was seen as the first step towards resolving conflict in the region following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. However, both Hezbollah and Israel have accused each other of violating the agreement. 

Stavridis says foreign leaders are waiting for Trump to take office before making any permanent decisions. 

“In many capitals around the world, the leaders are holding their breath. [They’re] just unsure of what’s coming,” he said. 

“If that is used as a negotiating ploy, as a way to keep an opponent off balance, it works out pretty well. When it’s used with our allies and partners and friends, like the NATO alliance, it can have consequences that are less good.”

Trump is a staunch supporter of Israel and has widely pledged to swiftly end the nation’s unrest during his second administration. Analysts propose he will be successful in supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans for a “total victory” in the region with a pro-Israel cabinet.

However, some lawmakers fear Trump’s policies will suppress Palestinian rights.

“Things look bleak for the Palestinian cause as President-elect Trump gears up to return to the White House,” Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) previously said.

Trump recently tapped former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) — who opposes the two-state solution — to become U.S. ambassador to Israel.