Biden delivers blunt response to suggestion Trump deserves credit for Gaza ceasefire deal to end the war

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump both claimed credit for a ceasefire deal designed to that end put an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.

And Biden denounced any idea that Trump could earn kudos on this.

“Is that a joke,” he told a reporter who asked whether 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 come into effect on Sunday, the day before Trump takes the oath of office as president.

Biden was racing against time to get the deal done before Trump is sworn in on January 20.

“This is a ceasefire agreement that I introduced last spring. Today, Hamas and Israel agreed to that ceasefire. And a complete end to the war,” the president said.

But Trump said it was all him.

The incoming president had threatened dire consequences unless Israel and Hamas reached an agreement before inauguration day. Some officials say the threat adds a sense of urgency to the talks.

‘WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SOON. THANK YOU!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“This epic ceasefire agreement could only have come as a result of our historic victory in November, because it signaled to the entire world that my administration would pursue peace and make deals to ensure the security of all Americans and guarantee our allies,” Trump noted. .

“I am thrilled that American and Israeli hostages will return home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”

Trump added that his new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, would “continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza NEVER again becomes a safe haven for terrorists.”

Biden acknowledged in his remarks that the ceasefire will be implemented under Trump’s term.

“This deal was developed and negotiated under my administration, but its terms will largely be implemented by the next administration. Over the past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” he said.

Witkoff worked with Biden negotiators in the Middle East.

Biden noted that he had instructed his team to work with the new president.

He said he had instructed them to “work closely” with Trump’s advisers to ensure they “all speak with the same voice.” Because that’s what American presidents do.”

Donald Trump also claimed credit for the deal

Biden said it was a tough sell, but he expressed confidence the deal would hold up.

“This is one of the toughest negotiations I have ever seen,” he said.

The deal will consist of three phases and part one will involve the release of American hostages.

Five Americans – Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel – are still alive in captivity.

Hamas will release “a number” of hostages in phase one, including wounded people, women, the elderly and Americans, Biden said.

“The vice president and I can’t 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 White House transverse room.

Over the next six weeks, both sides will move towards phase two, which is a permanent end to the fifteen-month conflict. The final phase will include a “major reconstruction plan for Gaza,” which will include allowing thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and access humanitarian supplies.

“Too many innocent people have died, too many communities have been destroyed,” Biden said. “In this deal, the people of Gaza can finally recover and rebuild.”

The agreement must be formally ratified by the Israeli cabinet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said some details in the deal need to be resolved but hoped this would be the case on Wednesday evening.