While Israel and Hamas finally agree to a ceasefire, a political battle is raging in the United States. Who is responsible for the breakthrough: Joe Biden or Donald Trump?
Bastian Brauns reports from Washington
When the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which had been longed for for months, was announced on Wednesday evening, a heated debate was already in full swing in Washington.
In the region, a complete, gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip is now imminent. Hamas is to hand over 33 Israeli prisoners, dead or alive. In exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners that Israel wants to release. However, there are still said to be unresolved clauses, for example regarding the opening of the Rafah border crossing. The agreement is scheduled to come into force on Sunday, before Trump takes office.
So while much still seems unresolved, both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration claim this breakthrough and negotiating success for themselves. Both sides present the result as an example of their respective successful and ostensibly different leadership styles.
While the immense suffering of the remaining Israeli hostages and Palestinian civilians has yet to come to a definitive end, the battle rages in the United States over who deserves credit for this success. Joe Biden wants to portray his government as a stabilizing force in international politics. He is particularly concerned about his troubled foreign policy legacy. (You can read more about this here)
Donald Trump, on the other hand, continues to claim that Biden’s presidency plunged the world into chaos in the first place and brought it to the brink of a third world war. In contrast, Trump wants to portray himself as the great dealmaker and bringer of peace and thereby fulfill one of his campaign promises.
What is undeniable is that since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, the Biden administration has dealt intensively and for months with this seemingly insoluble conflict. John Kirby, Communications Director of the National Security Council, clearly highlighted the President’s role at a press conference this Tuesday:
“We are standing here today because Hamas has come under pressure”said Kirby. And this pressure arose “by the United States under Joe Biden, which brokered a ceasefire between Israel”. Kirby emphasized that the basis for the current agreement is like this “over many months” been created. US negotiators worked tirelessly to achieve progress.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also praised Biden’s role and said the upcoming ceasefire was a result of the administration’s comprehensive Middle East strategy. “This reflects our approach to strengthening relationships with allies while seeking paths to peace”said Blinken.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan added: “There is a real possibility of achieving peace because we have maintained diplomatic efforts throughout the term.”
In a televised address, US President Joe Biden said: “I have never relented in my diplomacy to achieve this.” He will say more about it soon. “At the moment I am delighted that the hostages are being reunited with their families.” At 8 p.m. local time, Biden will deliver his farewell address to the nation, in which he will once again mention this success.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, sees the ceasefire agreement as the result of his election victory. On his platform “Truth Social” he wrote, as soon as the news was in the world: “This epic ceasefire agreement was only achieved thanks to our historic victory in November. Because it showed the world that my administration is committed to peace and reaching agreements to ensure the safety of Americans and our allies.”
For his part, he highlighted the crucial role of his special envoy for the Middle East. He had already brought him into the spotlight at a press conference in Mar-a-Lago at the beginning of January. Steve Witkoff, who has actually been in the region on and off for weeks, took an active part in the recent negotiations.