President-elect Donald Trump wants a ceasefire and hostage deal to be reached in the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas before he returns to the Oval Office, according to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

Graham, who advises Trump on foreign policy, shared during an interview with Axios that Trump is “more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal” and that the president-elect would like a deal to be reached before Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2025.

“He wants to see it happening now,” Graham told the outlet.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the terrorist organization based in Lebanon. Following the news of a ceasefire in Lebanon, Biden stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Graham previously met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Netanyahu this month.

“The best insurance policy against Hamas is not an Israeli reoccupation of Gaza but a reform in the Palestinian society,” Graham said. “The only ones who can do that are the Arab countries.”

Graham suggested that a ceasefire may be easier to achieve now that Trump has been elected.

“If you are a bad guy and you are not afraid of Trump, then you are also a dumb guy,” Graham said. “Bad and dumb guys don’t last long.”

Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including seven Americans. However, Israeli intelligence officials believe that only half are still alive. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war’s outbreak.

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White House officials said they will continue to push for a ceasefire deal until Biden’s last day in office. During Trump’s visit to the White House earlier this month, Trump and Biden discussed how crucial it is for a ceasefire to be reached between Israel and Hamas.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed to the Associated Press that the matter came up during discussions with Trump’s incoming national security adviser, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL).