Both Democrats and Republicans Claim Credit as Cease-Fire Commences
On Sunday, three Israeli hostages were released.
TroibNews 
With only one day remaining in Joe Biden's presidency and a trickle of Israeli hostages beginning to leave Gaza, deputy national security adviser Jon Finer is eager to ensure that his boss receives recognition for the temporary ceasefire in hostilities.
"This deal is really the deal that he laid out back in May," Finer stated during an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC’s “This Week.”
"The attention of the world, of the press, of maybe even other governments around the world had moved on to other issues," he noted. "But President Biden, literally just about every day would call Jake Sullivan or me or others on our team and ask for an update on the deal, what he could do to help push things forward, who he could deploy to the region, who he could call on the phone."
On Sunday, three Israeli hostages were freed, and aid trucks began to enter Gaza. The agreement initiates a six-week cease-fire, during which 33 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released. Discussions regarding a more enduring agreement are planned for the coming weeks.
Biden's administration had been negotiating the cease-fire in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt for several months.
"It never escaped his attention," Finer emphasized. "And it really was his persistence that ultimately led to the day that we're going to have today and the opportunity for a better future in the region that this unlocks."
Amidst the ongoing debate about credit for the accord, Biden's team had been engaged in negotiations alongside members of the incoming administration. Some in the international arena argue that Trump played a pivotal role.
"I think that'll be a question that historians will have to answer moving forward," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commented to Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Right now we should be focused on making sure that phase one of this plan is fully implemented and that we can move to phase two and phase three as it relates to the reconstruction of Gaza, making sure that Hamas is completely and totally eradicated and that there's a path toward a just and lasting peace."
On CNN's "State of the Union," incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz attributed significant credit for the deal's completion to Trump, suggesting that he has the capability to foster further advancements in the future.
"Just a month ago, to get where we are now seemed impossible," he remarked to host Dana Bash. "I mean, this this hostage deal, this cease-fire was stuck. Now, for, what, 15 months, 14 months? And just within a month we're there. President Trump can bring all sides together uniquely."
When Bash inquired about what Trump did to facilitate the deal's completion, Waltz pointed to Trump's rhetoric.
"The assurances to Hamas in terms of all hell to pay," he explained, adding: "And the assurances to our Israeli partners were: If Hamas backs out of this deal, if Hamas doesn't abide by this deal in any way, we will be with them."
House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed this view.
"I'm not going to forecast that action," Johnson conveyed to Welker on Sunday. "But I will tell you, President Trump is coming back to restore peace through strength. And that's what the American people voted for and that's what our allies around the world are counting on."
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
"This deal is really the deal that he laid out back in May," Finer stated during an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC’s “This Week.”
"The attention of the world, of the press, of maybe even other governments around the world had moved on to other issues," he noted. "But President Biden, literally just about every day would call Jake Sullivan or me or others on our team and ask for an update on the deal, what he could do to help push things forward, who he could deploy to the region, who he could call on the phone."
On Sunday, three Israeli hostages were freed, and aid trucks began to enter Gaza. The agreement initiates a six-week cease-fire, during which 33 Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released. Discussions regarding a more enduring agreement are planned for the coming weeks.
Biden's administration had been negotiating the cease-fire in collaboration with Qatar and Egypt for several months.
"It never escaped his attention," Finer emphasized. "And it really was his persistence that ultimately led to the day that we're going to have today and the opportunity for a better future in the region that this unlocks."
Amidst the ongoing debate about credit for the accord, Biden's team had been engaged in negotiations alongside members of the incoming administration. Some in the international arena argue that Trump played a pivotal role.
"I think that'll be a question that historians will have to answer moving forward," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commented to Kristen Welker on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Right now we should be focused on making sure that phase one of this plan is fully implemented and that we can move to phase two and phase three as it relates to the reconstruction of Gaza, making sure that Hamas is completely and totally eradicated and that there's a path toward a just and lasting peace."
On CNN's "State of the Union," incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz attributed significant credit for the deal's completion to Trump, suggesting that he has the capability to foster further advancements in the future.
"Just a month ago, to get where we are now seemed impossible," he remarked to host Dana Bash. "I mean, this this hostage deal, this cease-fire was stuck. Now, for, what, 15 months, 14 months? And just within a month we're there. President Trump can bring all sides together uniquely."
When Bash inquired about what Trump did to facilitate the deal's completion, Waltz pointed to Trump's rhetoric.
"The assurances to Hamas in terms of all hell to pay," he explained, adding: "And the assurances to our Israeli partners were: If Hamas backs out of this deal, if Hamas doesn't abide by this deal in any way, we will be with them."
House Speaker Mike Johnson affirmed this view.
"I'm not going to forecast that action," Johnson conveyed to Welker on Sunday. "But I will tell you, President Trump is coming back to restore peace through strength. And that's what the American people voted for and that's what our allies around the world are counting on."
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
