Biden hails ceasefire agreement as he and Trump both claim credit for it

US President Joe Biden praised “several months of intense diplomacy” to bring about a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as he outlined the next steps for a deal to end the 15-month war.

At a White House briefing on Wednesday, he said he was “very satisfied that this day has come” and described the conversation as one of the most difficult of his career.

The agreement includes three phases, Biden said, the first of which includes a “full and complete ceasefire” that would begin on Jan. 19 — the day before he leaves office.

He said a phase two agreement was still to be negotiated that would lead to a “permanent end to the war”, adding that he was confident the agreement would hold.

Biden told reporters that the first phase would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of people held hostage by Hamas – including women, the elderly and wounded prisoners – and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

“Soon the hostages will return to their families,” he said. He added that during the first phase “Palestinians can also return to their neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza.”

“There are a lot of details to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two, but the plan says that if negotiations take more than six weeks, the cease-fire will remain in place as long as negotiations continue,” Biden said. “

The President said phase two would include the release of all remaining surviving hostages, including male soldiers, as well as the remaining Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza. The temporary ceasefire will become permanent at this stage, he said.

The third phase would include returning the remains of executed hostages to their families and a “major reconstruction plan” for Gaza.

While Biden said his administration is “talking as a team” with the incoming administration of Donald Trump, the president emphasized his and his administration’s role in striking the deal.

He said the outline of the agreement follows the “exact outline” of the plan he first presented in May 2024.

And as the news conference ended, the President was asked who should take credit for the deal — him or Trump. Biden turned back and said, “Is this a joke?” Before going away.

Meanwhile, Trump said on Truth Social that the “epic” deal was only possible because he won the November presidential election.

He wrote, “It signaled to the entire world that my Administration will seek peace and negotiate a deal to ensure the security of all Americans and our allies.”

Despite the dueling messages, the two administrations worked in close coordination as the ceasefire agreement unfolded in recent days.

For example, Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff were both in Doha as talks reached the finish line.

The deal, now official, gives Biden the opportunity to end his presidency on a high note, achieving an agreement he has long wanted and polishing his foreign policy legacy. Provides one final item.

But with just a few days left in office it is too late for him to realize the benefits of the deal domestically.

The ceasefire agreement would have been a boon for him as a Democratic candidate in the election, as he faced severe criticism within his own party over his unwavering support for Israel.

Meanwhile, Trump will take the oath of office on Monday without facing the challenge of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

The president-elect may also have the opportunity to take part in emotional ceremonies as American hostages return to the US and be reunited with their families in the coming weeks. These pleasant experiences can help the new President start his second term on an enthusiastic note.

Trump can fully enjoy the political benefits from Middle East peace. But they will also inherit the obligations and risks that come with implementing a complex multi-part agreement.