Biden and Trump both claim credit for ceasefire deal
President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump both claimed credit for a ceasefire deal designed to end the war between Israel and Hamas. And Biden slammed any notion that Trump might deserve kudos on the matter.
'Is that a joke,' he said to a reporter who asked him if he or Trump deserved credit for the deal. When told no, Biden said 'oh' and walked out. He announced the ceasefire at the White House on Wednesday afternoon but Trump had already announced the deal two hours earlier on social media.
The deal includes a 42-day ceasefire and the return of American hostages. It is scheduled to take affect on Sunday, the day before Trump takes the oath of office as president. Biden was racing against the clock to get the deal done before Trump is sworn in on January 20th.
'This is a cease-fire agreement I introduced last Spring. Today, Hamas and Israel have agreed to that cease-fire agreement. And a whole ending to the war,' the president said. But Trump said it was all him.
The incoming president had threatened severe consequences unless Israel and Hamas reached an agreement before Inauguration Day. Some officials credit that threat with adding a sense of urgency to the talks. 'WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.
'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 noted. 'I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.'
Trump added that his incoming Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, would continue 'to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.' Biden acknowledged in his remarks that the ceasefire will be implemented under Trump's tenure.
'This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but the terms to be implemented for the most part by the next administration. These past few days, we have been speaking as one team,' he said. Witkoff has been in the Middle East working alongside the Biden negotiators. Biden noted he told his team to work with the incoming president's.
He said he ordered them to 'coordinate closely' with Trump's advisers to ensure they're 'all speaking with the same voice. Because that's what American presidents do.' Biden said it was a tough sell but expressed confidence the deal would hold. 'This is one of the toughest negotiations I’ve ever experienced,' he said.
The deal will have three phases and American hostages will be released as part one. Five Americans — Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel — remain alive in captivity. Hamas will release 'a number' of hostages, including wounded, women, the elderly and Americans in phase one, he said.
'The vice president and I cannot wait to welcome them home,' Biden said. He was flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Tony Blinken as he spoke in the cross hall of the White House . In phase two, will move to a permanent end of the 15-month conflict and the final phase will include a 'major reconstruction plan for Gaza.'
The agreement needs to be formally ratified by the Israeli cabinet. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a number of details in the agreement need to be resolved but was hopefully they would be by Wednesday night.
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