Indeed, Trump was quick to assert he was the crucial force behind the deal, claiming credit before Biden had even opened his mouth: “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,” he wrote on his social media site Truth Social.
The deal bringing an end to the 15-month conflict in Gaza still may unravel, of course. But with the Israeli cabinet now set to cast its vote, all signs point toward approval — unless, that is, key hard-right member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition Bezalel Smotrich abruptly threatens to quit.
But Trump’s determination to claim the breakthrough as his own sticks in the craw for Biden and his aides. As far as the president is concerned, the deal is within “the precise contours” of a plan he set out in May, and was relentlessly pushed by the likes of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mideast envoy Brett McGurk, as well as by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. Biden’s team simply invited Trump officials to join in the effort as they would inherit any deal that was struck.
So, who’s right? Was this a Biden or Trump win?
Truth is, Biden aides have been tireless in their efforts to wrestle Netanyahu and Hamas’ leadership into an agreement. And at various times over the past 15 months, they really believed they were close — only for everything to fall apart. Almost a year ago, in February, Biden told reporters he was hopeful there would be a deal struck very soon. And again, in the run-up to the Democratic convention, U.S. officials said agreement was near. But each time, they were frustrated.
What really appears to have shifted the dynamic, however, was a Jan. 7 remark by Trump, coupled with a very aggressive push by his soon-to-be special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff — at least that’s the view of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and several seasoned observers of the region.
