US President Joe Biden swiftly denied discussing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostages deal with President-elect Donald Trump during a recent interview in the Oval Office. The deal, expected to result in a temporary halt to the fighting in Gaza and the gradual release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, is set to be implemented in the coming days following Israel's confirmation of reaching an agreement with Hamas.
Both Trump and Biden claimed credit for the ceasefire and hostages deal, attributing the success to the collaborative efforts of their respective administrations in mediating the truce. A senior Biden administration official described the cooperation between the two camps as 'almost unprecedented,' highlighting the unique convergence of interests between the rival administrations that facilitated the deal, seizing an opportunity post-Trump's election victory.
Trump emphasized the pivotal role of the US in brokering the deal, asserting that without American involvement, the agreement would not have materialized. Biden, on the other hand, dismissed the notion of sharing credit with Trump, responding incredulously to a reporter's query about who deserved recognition for the deal.
