Biden, Trump jockey over credit for Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Jan 15, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are each seeking to claim credit for the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of Israeli hostages.

With the proverbial ink not even dry on a deal between Israel and Hamas, Biden stressed that an agreement was reached by his administration under “the precise contours” of a plan he set out in late May.

“It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under … but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy,” Biden said. “My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”

Later in remarks at the White House, Biden said while his administration negotiated the deal, Trump’s team will soon be charged with making sure it’s implemented.

“For the past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” Biden said.

Trump. meanwhile, raced to take credit himself, noting that the stalled talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators only started to bear fruit after he demanded a deal before he takes office on Monday.

He credited incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff with breaking the deadlock as he joined the talks in recent days alongside Biden diplomats.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote on social media. “I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”

Biden scoffed at the idea that Trump’s bombast should win him any share of plaudits for forging the deal.

“Is that a joke?” Biden responded when asked by a reporter whether he or Trump would get credit for the deal, which could end the 15-month conflict in Gaza.

Biden administration officials say they wanted to involve the incoming Trump team in the talks to ensure that an agreement — which will require a lengthy American commitment — would have continued U.S. support after Biden leaves office.

The officials said it was important for all parties to the deal to know the agreement had buy-in from the new president. That was important not only because Biden will leave office in just five days, but also because the U.S. is a guarantor of the agreement that will play out in several phases.

_____