Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought new attention to his chilly relationship with the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden by praising President-elect Donald Trump for helping craft a peace deal between the Jewish state and Hamas.
The reported deal comes more than a year after Hamas fighters launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,300 Israeli citizens dead and hundreds more captured.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” Netanyahu’s official account posted on X.
The post was made around four hours before Biden’s farewell address to the nation in which he appeared to try and take credit for the deal after roundly criticizing Israel’s response to the attack for most of the past year.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families. pic.twitter.com/nSkK6Emfk8
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 15, 2025
The role of Trump’s team in the deal was noted by State Department representative Matthew Miller, according to a transcript of his comments.
“Now, when it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump’s team, it has been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line,” he said.
“And it’s been critical because, obviously, as I stand here today, this administration’s term in office will expire in five days,” Miller added.
WATCH:
🚨 JUST IN: Biden’s own State Department credits TRUMP for getting this peace deal done
“When it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump’s team, it’s been absolutely CRITICAL in getting this deal over the line.”
Everyone knows it was Trump 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PQwtnfiuDJ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 15, 2025
Trump addressed the ceasefire agreement on his Truth Social page.
“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. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” he wrote.
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!” Trump added.
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!” the president-elect noted further.
Overseas reports reinforced the impact Team Trump had on the negotiations versus those of the Biden team throughout the more than a year-long crisis.
“A ‘tense’ weekend meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and incoming Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff led to a breakthrough in the hostage negotiations, with the top aide to US President-elect Donald Trump doing more to sway the premier in a single sit-down than outgoing President Joe Biden did all year, two Arab officials told The Times of Israel on Tuesday,” the outlet reported.
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