Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drew attention to his strained relationship with the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden by praising President-elect Donald Trump for his role in helping craft a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. The reported deal comes more than a year after Hamas fighters launched a deadly surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,300 Israeli citizens and capturing hundreds more.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” Netanyahu’s official account posted on X. The post appeared online roughly four hours before Biden’s farewell address to the country, where he appeared to take some credit for it even though a deal didn’t get done until now and Biden and Democrats routinely criticized Israel for its response to the deadly and brutal attack.
The role of Trump’s team in the deal was noted by State Department representative Matthew Miller, according to a transcript of his comments. “Now, when it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump’s team, it has been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line,” he said. “And it’s been critical because, obviously, as I stand here today, this administration’s term in office will expire in five days,” Miller added, per the video below.
? JUST IN: Biden’s own State Department credits TRUMP for getting this peace deal done
“When it comes to the involvement of President-elect Trump’s team, it’s been absolutely CRITICAL in getting this deal over the line.”
Everyone knows it was Trump ? pic.twitter.com/PQwtnfiuDJ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 15, 2025
Trump, for his part, talked about the cease-fire deal on his Truth Social platform. “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” he wrote.
“With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!” Trump added.
“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!” the president-elect noted further. Overseas reports also credited Trump and his team for the breakthrough, including the Times of Israel.
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