President-elect Donald Trump has claimed that the ceasefire and hostage
release agreement between Israel and Hamas was the result of pressure from
his team, just days before his second-term inauguration.
Trump credited his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, for securing the deal,
which involves a 42-day ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for
Palestinian prisoners. The agreement is awaiting approval from Israel’s
security cabinet.
Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for taking credit for the
agreement, dismissing Biden’s prior attempts at negotiating a similar deal as
ineffective.
Meanwhile, Biden confirmed he had no recent discussions with Trump about
the ceasefire and described it as a step toward potentially ending the war,
though he emphasized the complexities involved.

As Israel’s military continues operations in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu
cited a dispute with Hamas as the reason for the delay in the ceasefire’s
approval.