Biden hails ceasefire deal as both he and Trump claim credit

U.S. President Joe Biden lauded the “months of intensive diplomacy” that led to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and outlined the next steps in the deal to end the 15-month war. During a White House briefing on Wednesday, he said he was “deeply gratified this day has come” and called the negotiations among the most difficult of his career.

Biden stated that the agreement includes three phases, with the first phase involving a “full and complete ceasefire” that would begin on January 19, the day before he leaves office. He also said the second phase, which still needs to be negotiated, will bring about a “permanent end to the war,” adding that he is confident the agreement will be upheld.

Biden told reporters that the first phase would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, including women, the elderly, and injured prisoners, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. “Hostages will soon be back with their families,” he said, adding that in the first phase “Palestinians can also return to their communities in all areas of Gaza.”

“There are many details to be negotiated in the transition from phase one to phase two, but the plan stipulates that if negotiations take longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue,” Biden said. The president said the second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of all remaining Israeli forces from Gaza. At that point, he said, the temporary ceasefire would become permanent. The third phase would include the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families and a “major reconstruction plan” for Gaza.

While Biden said his administration was “united” with the incoming administration of Donald Trump, the president emphasized the role he and his administration played in reaching the agreement. He said the framework of the deal followed the “precise contours” of the plan he first laid out in May 2024. At the end of the press conference, the president was asked who should be credited for the agreement—him or Trump. Biden turned around and said “Are you kidding?” before walking away.

Meanwhile, Trump posted on Truth Social that the “epic” deal was only made possible because he won the presidential election in November. “This shows the world that my administration will seek peace and negotiate deals to keep all Americans and our allies safe,” he wrote. Despite the diverging messages, the two administrations have been closely coordinating in recent days as the ceasefire deal came to fruition.

For instance, Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk and Trump’s envoy Steve Vitiakov were both in Doha as the negotiations reached their final stages. Now that the agreement is official, it gives Biden an opportunity to achieve a high point at the end of his presidency, delivering a deal he has long sought and adding a final piece to his foreign policy legacy.

However, with only days left in office, he is running out of time to feel the benefits of this deal at home. If the ceasefire agreement had occurred while he was still a candidate for his party, it would have greatly benefited him at a time when he has faced significant criticism from members of his own Democratic coalition for his seemingly unwavering support for Israel. Meanwhile, Trump will be sworn in on Monday and will not have to immediately face the challenges of an ongoing war in the Middle East.

The incoming president may also have the opportunity to participate in heartwarming celebrations as American hostages return to the U.S. and reunite with their families in the coming weeks. These feel-good moments could help the new president begin his second term on an optimistic note. Trump may more fully enjoy the political boost from Middle East peace. But he will also inherit the obligations and risks of implementing a complex, multi-part agreement.