Both leaders assert their roles in the recent Gaza ceasefire deal, highlighting diplomatic efforts.

Washington: So, it looks like both President Biden and President-elect Trump are taking a victory lap over the Gaza ceasefire deal. They’ve been in talks for months, and now it seems like they’re both claiming the win.
Trump jumped right in, saying he was the key player behind the deal, even though some details were still being worked out. He took to social media, saying this ceasefire was a result of his “Historic Victory” in November and that it showed the world he was all about peace.
He’s pretty excited that American and Israeli hostages will be heading home to their families. Meanwhile, Biden pointed out that the deal came from a plan he laid out back in May. He mentioned that it was a mix of pressure on Hamas and some solid American diplomacy that got things moving.
Some experts are saying that both leaders deserve credit. Nancy Okail from the Center for International Policy noted that Trump’s insistence on a ceasefire before he takes office shows how pressure can change things in Israel. Jonathan Panikoff from the Atlantic Council agreed, saying Biden’s persistence in talks was crucial, but Trump’s approach also played a role.
Interestingly, the Biden team welcomed Trump’s envoy into the talks, not just because of Trump’s influence but to ensure ongoing U.S. support for the deal. They wanted to make sure that whatever was agreed upon would have backing even after Biden leaves office.
As the talks progressed in Doha, Qatar, officials downplayed Trump’s role, focusing instead on the need for a solid plan for Gaza’s future. They want to ensure that the agreement has support from both administrations, especially since the U.S. is a guarantor of the deal.
There’s a lot at stake here, especially with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu has been rocky due to the high Palestinian death toll, which is now over 46,000. Pro-Palestinian activists are pushing for an arms embargo against Israel, but U.S. policy hasn’t changed much, with a planned $8 billion weapons sale still on the table.
Critics of Biden’s approach worry it could hurt U.S. standing in the Middle East and leave a mark on his legacy. It’s a complicated situation, and both leaders are trying to navigate it as best they can.