President-elect Donald Trump once again asserted his team’s role in securing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza. Trump claimed on Thursday that the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas was reached due to pressure from him and his incoming administration.
The agreement would trade Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and awaits approval from Israel’s security cabinet.
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A permanent end to the war would then be negotiated.
“If we weren’t involved in this deal, the deal would’ve never happened,” Trump said on the Dan Bongino Show. “We changed the course of it, and we changed it fast, and frankly, it better be done before I take the oath of office.”
Trump had earlier also taken credit for the ceasefire negotiations. Soon after the public announcement, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and said, “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. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”
Trump criticised outgoing President Joe Biden for taking credit for the agreement. “He didn’t do anything! If I didn’t do this, if we didn’t get involved, the hostages would never be out,” Trump said. Biden had proposed a similar ceasefire deal last May.
Biden and Trump both have claimed credit for the ceasefire while firmly denying the other’s role. When questioned on who should get the credit, Biden retorted ‘Is it a joke?’
However, the outgoing US President has mentioned that he and Donald Trump are on the same page on this deal.
The proposed agreement includes an initial 42-day ceasefire, the release of 33 hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza’s population centers. The second phase could bring a “permanent end to the war,” according to Biden.
Israel’s security cabinet is meeting Friday to review the ceasefire terms, which could take effect as early as Sunday, prior to Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
