In Washington, both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are asserting their roles in securing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, following a prolonged negotiation process facilitated by the White House. The agreement was announced on Wednesday, with the final arrangements still being finalized, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Trump was quick to claim significant influence over the deal, celebrating the arrangement on social media by asserting that it was a direct result of his November election victory, which he believes demonstrated his commitment to peace and the safety of Americans and their allies. He expressed joy that hostages from the U.S. and Israel would soon return to their families.
Meanwhile, Biden emphasized the deal’s alignment with his diplomatic efforts, reiterating that he had been tirelessly working to achieve this outcome. He attributed the agreement to the increasing pressures faced by Hamas, changes in the regional dynamics following a ceasefire in Lebanon, and the relentless American diplomacy that led to this breakthrough.
This competitive narrative from both leaders reflects their respective desires to claim the agreement as a cornerstone of their legacies related to Middle Eastern relations. Biden’s administration has been in talks for months, attempting to navigate a delicate situation that has seen its share of setbacks. On the other hand, Trump had previously cautioned that dire consequences awaited if an agreement was not reached before his inauguration.
Biden’s decision not to impose strict limits on arms sales to Israel has reportedly allowed the nation to significantly weaken both Hamas and Hezbollah, although this action has also resulted in severe humanitarian crises for Palestinian and Lebanese civilians during the ongoing conflict, which has spanned over 15 months. Jonathan Panikoff, a director at the Atlantic Council, recognizes Biden’s persistent efforts in the negotiations despite their challenges, but also acknowledges Trump’s sharp rhetoric directed at Hamas and aim to influence Netanyahu positively.
In his public statements, Biden articulated that his administration was instrumental in negotiating the ceasefire, but acknowledged that the incoming Trump team would have a vital role in ensuring its execution. Both Biden and Trump have recognized the collaboration, a sentiment echoed by Biden when he referred to their joint teamwork during negotiations.
Trump’s representatives countered by insisting that the breakthrough would not have materialized without Trump and Witkoff’s intervention. The Biden administration has been keen to leverage this moment and provided the Trump team with a strategic outline for achieving enduring peace, claiming the input from Trump’s team has been pivotal to the recent progress.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog conveyed appreciation to both U.S. leaders for their respective contributions to the ceasefire. Nancy Okail from the Center for International Policy highlighted how Trump’s demands for an immediate ceasefire coinciding with his inauguration highlighted the potential efficacy of strong diplomatic pressure on Israeli governmental decisions.
The Biden administration’s cooperation with Trump’s team extended beyond personal influence over Netanyahu; it was primarily motivated by a desire to ensure ongoing support for a long-term strategy that would uphold the ceasefire agreement and outline reconstruction and governance plans for Gaza, ensuring continuation beyond Biden’s term.
Concerns about abandoning a meticulously crafted post-conflict plan for Gaza led to the decision to involve Trump officials, with expectations of an international presence in Gaza for assistance with governance and reconstruction as well as security considerations vital to Israel’s work.
Implementation of the ceasefire could commence as early as Sunday, with the anticipated release of hostages moving the negotiations forward robustly in recent days. Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu has seen strains during the conflict, with a significant Palestinian death toll amid mounting criticisms of U.S. support for Israel’s military actions.
Activists advocating for Palestinian rights have called for an arms embargo against Israel. Nevertheless, Biden’s administration has maintained its policies. Critiques of Biden’s actions assert that they could negatively affect the U.S.’s standing in the Middle East, potentially marking a blemish on his presidency.
As Biden concluded his statements on the ceasefire, he was asked by a reporter who would receive credit in historical accounts for the agreement. He paused, smiled, and responded with a light-hearted remark questioning whether it was a joke.
