Biden and Trump both 'take credit' for Gaza ceasefire agreement

(CLO) US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump both claimed to have contributed to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, an agreement that took months of negotiations and has just been completed.

In announcing the deal, Mr. Biden emphasized that the final agreement was based largely on a proposal he had made in May last year. When asked by a reporter who would get the credit in history, he smiled and replied: “Is that a joke?”

Mr. Biden and Mr. Trump face off. Illustration photo: AI

"This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be implemented by the incoming administration. So I have directed my team to fully brief the incoming administration," Biden said in his farewell address in the Oval Office.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump quickly claimed on social media that it was his victory in the November election that had prompted the deal.

"This HISTORIC ceasefire was only possible because of our HISTORIC VICTORY, which sends a clear message that my administration will pursue peace and agreements that keep Americans and our allies safe," Trump wrote.

Mr Trump sent Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to the talks in Doha, and Mr Witkoff was present for the final 96 hours before the deal was signed.

A senior Biden administration official said Mr. Witkoff has played a key support role alongside Mr. Biden’s special envoy, Brett McGurk, who has been in Doha since January 5.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden had proactively invited Trump's team to participate in the negotiation process because the new administration would be responsible for implementing the deal.

“Over the past few days, we have acted as a unified team,” Mr. Biden affirmed.

Although he did not release details of the agreement, Mr. Biden hinted that the deal could be the basis for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

"For the Palestinians, this is a clear and credible path toward a state of their own. And for the region, it is the future of normalization and integration of Israel with all of its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia," Biden stressed.

The fact that the two US leaders took credit for the deal shows the fierce political competition in this country, especially in the context of Mr. Trump preparing to take over the White House.

Hong Hanh (according to Al Jazeera, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hai-ong-biden-va-trump-deu-nhan-cong-trong-thoa-thuan-ngung-bantai-gaza-post330631.html