Biden and Blinken Claim Credit for Trump’s Israeli-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement

Both former President Joe Biden and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed their gratitude on Monday regarding President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Biden, who is currently receiving treatment for cancer, mentioned in an X show that he feels “deeply grateful and relieved” as the situation in Gaza approaches a resolution. He acknowledged the difficulty in achieving this agreement, stating, “My administration worked relentlessly to bring home the hostages, rescue Palestinian civilians, and end the war.” At the same time, he credited Trump for successfully bringing “a new cease-fire deal across the finish line.”

In a post on X, Blinken noted that Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza is built upon groundwork laid by the Biden administration. He elaborated on how Arab nations and Turkey have taken a stand against Hamas, indicating a shift in sentiment that could affect other Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and Houthi rebels.

Blinken emphasized the need for a comprehensive post-conflict plan for Gaza, reflecting on the Biden administration’s previous efforts for a ceasefire in January that briefly resulted in the release of 135 hostages.

During a press interaction, Trump responded to Blinken’s comments, calling them a “joke.” He criticized the previous administrations for policies he believes led to current conflicts, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Trump also engaged with over 20 world leaders in Egypt, focusing on the next steps of the ceasefire.

As the discussions unfold, Blinken outlined that any future plans for Gaza must address the challenges of disarming Hamas and ensuring a gradual Israeli withdrawal, noting that Trump reaffirmed essential principles for the region, including the rejection of any terrorist infrastructure and the aim for a Palestinian state.