Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted his strained ties with President Joe Biden by praising President-elect Donald Trump for aiding a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. The deal follows a deadly Hamas attack on Israel over a year ago, which killed 1,300 Israelis and led to hundreds being taken hostage.
Netanyahu thanked Trump for his role in securing the hostages’ release, posting on X just hours before Biden’s farewell address, where Biden seemed to claim credit for the agreement despite earlier criticizing Israel’s response to the attack.
State Department representative Matthew Miller acknowledged President-elect Trump’s team’s crucial role in the deal.
“The involvement of President-elect Trump’s team has been absolutely critical in finalizing this deal,” he said. “This is especially significant as this administration’s term ends in five days,” Miller added.
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Trump celebrated the ceasefire agreement on Truth Social, stating:
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement was only possible because of our Historic Victory in November, signaling my Administration’s commitment to peace and securing safety for Americans and our allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will reunite with their families and loved ones.”
Trump credited his National Security team, led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, for ensuring Gaza never becomes a terrorist haven again. He emphasized continuing “peace through strength,” building on the ceasefire and expanding the Abraham Accords.
“We’ve achieved so much without being in the White House. Imagine what we’ll accomplish when I return,” Trump added.
Reports highlighted Trump’s team’s significant role, with Netanyahu’s meeting with Witkoff reportedly achieving more progress in one weekend than Biden did over the past year, according to The Times of Israel.
