While President Joe Biden’s team focused on negotiating details, President-elect Donald Trump’s team provided the final push with an ultimatum, helping secure a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
When Qatar's prime minister announced a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on January 15, representatives from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration were present in Doha to celebrate the success.
A Joint Effort in Diplomacy
Brett McGurk, Biden’s seasoned Middle East negotiator, had been stationed in Doha for weeks to broker a final ceasefire. However, significant progress occurred after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, joined the negotiations in the final days.
According to U.S. officials, McGurk and Witkoff worked closely, speaking multiple times daily and dividing responsibilities. McGurk focused on hammering out the specifics, while Witkoff emphasized Trump’s firm deadline for achieving the ceasefire before his inauguration.
“Four days ago, Steve Witkoff joined Brett McGurk in an unprecedented effort that became instrumental in finalizing the agreement. This was a highly constructive and effective partnership,” said a senior Biden administration official.
Bipartisan Effort Amidst Political Rivalry
The rare bipartisan cooperation reflected the shared goal of resolving a humanitarian crisis. Still, both Biden and Trump sought to claim credit after the deal was finalized. Trump credited his electoral victory as the catalyst for the ceasefire, stating it signaled the world his administration would “deliver safety and peace.”
Biden, more measured in tone, described the negotiations as “one of the toughest diplomatic challenges” of his presidency. He emphasized the groundwork laid by his administration, including a proposal introduced in May 2024, which closely resembled the final agreement.
Key Breakthroughs in Final Hours
Despite months of negotiations, the final push came after the November 2024 election. Trump’s team leveraged his impending inauguration to apply pressure, ensuring the ceasefire materialized before his presidency began.
Critical last-minute issues included a complex exchange list of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Officials from both sides noted that these sensitive details were only resolved hours before the announcement.
A Shared Victory
For Biden, the ceasefire capped off years of diplomacy and preserved his legacy as a leader committed to peace. For Trump, it marked the first major success attributed to his administration before formally taking office.
“This effort demonstrated that when the U.S. speaks with one voice, incredible outcomes are possible,” said John Kirby, White House National Security Council spokesperson.
(According to AFP, CNN, Reuters)
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