With Joe Biden’s presidency coming to an end, both his team and the incoming Trump administration are claiming credit for the cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza.
Biden’s Persistent Efforts Highlighted
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer emphasized President Biden’s consistent engagement in brokering the agreement. Speaking on ABC’s This Week, Finer noted that Biden’s focus on the issue never wavered.
“This deal is really the deal that he laid out back in May,” Finer said. He added that despite shifting global attention, Biden kept pressure on his team, regularly following up and coordinating with allies like Qatar and Egypt.
The deal includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during an initial six-week cease-fire. Aid trucks have also begun flowing into Gaza, providing relief to the region.
Trump’s Role in Closing the Deal
Members of the incoming Trump administration also highlighted their role in pushing the agreement forward. Incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz credited Trump’s direct approach and rhetoric for the breakthrough.
“Just a month ago, to get where we are now seemed impossible,” Waltz said on CNN’s State of the Union. He cited Trump’s assurances to both Hamas and Israel as key factors in finalizing the deal.
Trump’s tough stance, including promises of consequences if Hamas failed to comply, was praised by House Speaker Mike Johnson. “President Trump is coming back to restore peace through strength,” Johnson told NBC’s Kristen Welker.
A Historic Agreement
The deal, months in the making, represents a pivotal moment in U.S. foreign policy. Biden’s administration laid the groundwork with persistent diplomacy, while Trump’s team stepped in to close the agreement.
While debates over credit continue, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged focus on implementation and long-term peace. “We should be focused on phase one, and ensuring paths toward a just and lasting peace,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press.
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