1 month ago
38
January 16, 2025 | 04:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump both claimed credit on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, for a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal that was months in the making but was helped across the line by a Trump envoy.
In announcing the ceasefire, Biden noted the final deal largely mirrored the framework of a proposal he made back in May. He smiled when a reporter asked who the history books will credit for the ceasefire and asked, "Is that a joke?"
"This plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That's why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed," Biden said in a farewell address on Wednesday night from the Oval Office.
Trump, in a social media post, was quick to claim a measure of credit for the breakthrough that came after months of stalled negotiations. He had repeatedly warned there would be "hell to pay" if a deal was not made by the time he takes office on Monday.
"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," he said.
Trump had dispatched his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, to join the negotiations in Doha, and Witkoff was there for the last 96 hours of talks leading up to the deal.
A senior Biden administration official, in a briefing with reporters, credited Witkoff with helping deliver the deal, working alongside Biden's envoy, Brett McGurk, who has been in Doha since Jan. 5.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden had wanted the Trump team involved because Trump will be tasked with implementing the ceasefire deal.
"In these past few days, we have been speaking as one team,” Biden said.
Biden did not provide specifics outside the broad outlines of the deal that were already known, but suggested it could set the stage for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
"For the Palestinian people, a credible, credible pathway to a state of their own. And for the region, a future of normalization, integration of Israel and all its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia," he said.
Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire deal that takes effect from Sunday, January 19, 2025. This agreement includes the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
REUTERS | Steve Holland
Editor’s Choice: Israel Kills 20 Palestinians After Gaza Ceasefire Announcement
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Israel Strikes Gaza Within Hours of Ceasefire Accord with Hamas, Residents Say
8 menit lalu
Israel intensified strikes on Gaza hours after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced
Indonesia Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire, Reiterates Support for Palestine
1 jam lalu
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed his appreciation for the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas.
World Leaders Welcome Ceasefire Deal to End Israel's Genocide in Gaza.
3 jam lalu
World leaders have welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Wednesday.
Netanyahu Says Ceasefire Deal Still Not Complete After Announcement
3 jam lalu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the Gaza ceasefire agreement with Hamas is not yet finalized.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal in Gaza to Take Effect on Sunday
3 jam lalu
Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that mediators said would take effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Canada Could Impose Tariffs on US$105bn Worth of U.S. Imports, Source Says
5 jam lalu
Canada could impose countermeasures on up to C$150 billion worth of U.S. imports if Trump puts tariffs on Canadian goods and services.
Israel Kills 20 Palestinians After Gaza Ceasefire Announcement
6 jam lalu
At least 20 Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip hours after the announcement of a ceasefire.
Palestinian Authority Must Run Gaza After War, Prime Minister Says
17 jam lalu
The Palestinian Authority must be the sole governing power in Gaza after the war, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said on Wednesday.
Today's Top 3 News: Which Airline Has the Best Premium Economy? Here's the Top 10 List
17 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Can Trump End the Russia-Ukraine War?
18 jam lalu
For peace to prevail, a compromise needs to be reached not only between Russia and Ukraine but also between the US Trump-led West and Russia.
