Historic Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Achieved Through Unprecedented Bipartisan Efforts
In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, a ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been finalized, drawing on the collaborative efforts of both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration. President Biden reiterated that this agreement closely mirrors the proposal he put forth in May, emphasizing the months of mediation his team engaged in to reach this moment.
From his Florida residence, Donald Trump claimed credit for the ceasefire, stating that it was made possible by what he termed his 'Historic Victory' in the November elections. Behind the scenes, however, the teams of both administrations had been working intensely together in the final days to overcome crucial hurdles and secure the agreement from Israel and Hamas.
An official from the Biden administration described the collaboration as 'almost unprecedented and highly constructive,' highlighting the intensive joint efforts of the outgoing and incoming teams, particularly during the last 96 hours of negotiations. Biden noted that both administrations operated 'as one team' during these discussions.
Brett McGurk, a key player in the negotiations, had been involved from the outset, originally facilitating a brief ceasefire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. He had been stationed in Doha, Qatar, for weeks in hopes of finalizing the agreement, with Steve Witkoff from Trump's team joining him to provide the necessary momentum.
The collaboration stemmed from a confluence of interests between Biden and Trump, despite their political rivalry. Both leaders recognized a unique opportunity influenced by several recent developments: the transition of power in the United States, the death of Hamas leader Yahia Sinwar at the hands of Israeli forces, and a ceasefire in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Additionally, the weakening of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria and diminished Iranian military influence altered the regional dynamics.
Following a meeting in the Oval Office with Trump after the November elections, Biden instructed his administration to work closely with Trump's team, recognizing the urgent need to secure the release of hostages. Jake Sullivan, the outgoing National Security Advisor, emphasized a bipartisan approach to this critical issue, stating the importance of collective efforts to ensure the hostages' freedom.
The two teams effectively divided tasks and meetings across various locations in the Middle East, with Trump's representative directly applying pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had previously stalled on finalizing the agreement. Meanwhile, McGurk managed technical discussions from Doha, negotiating with Qatari officials.
McGurk primarily handled the technicalities of the agreement, while Witkoff underscored Trump's desire to achieve a ceasefire and a hostage exchange ahead of his inauguration. Trump publicly threatened severe repercussions in the region if the negotiations failed to yield results.
Biden elaborated on the terms of the ceasefire, which consists of a three-phase plan. The first phase will establish a temporary ceasefire lasting six weeks, during which the most vulnerable hostages--such as elderly individuals, women, and the injured--will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. This phase will be followed by a permanent ceasefire and the exchange of remaining hostages in the second phase, with the final phase addressing the remains of those hostages who did not survive and facilitating the reconstruction of Gaza.
Witkoff previously noted that no single party could lay claim to the negotiations' success, emphasizing that the primary goal was to bring the hostages home. Despite the apparent cooperation, both Biden and Trump sought to highlight their contributions to the agreement.
In a characteristic statement, Trump proclaimed that this agreement heralds the beginning of 'great things' for both the United States and the world. Conversely, Biden reiterated the unyielding nature of his diplomatic efforts to bring this agreement to fruition, confirming his active involvement in discussions with various leaders up until the last moment.
While the collaboration between the two administrations has resulted in a significant outcome, the underlying tensions between Biden and Trump remain evident. Biden's reaction to a reporter's question regarding credit for the agreement underscored the ongoing rivalry, suggesting that the recent partnership may not be a sustainable norm in the future.
