Biden and Trump Defy Their History of Animosity to Seal Gaza Cease-Fire

The highly anticipated Gaza cease-fire agreement, announced Wednesday after extensive negotiations, emerged as a rare instance of collaboration between President Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump. Setting aside their deep-seated differences, the two leaders united to achieve a shared objective.https://wordpress.com/

Under their guidance, aides from both administrations worked together to push Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement to end the devastating conflict in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held there for over a year. The cease-fire is scheduled to take effect Sunday, one day before Mr. Biden formally transfers power to Mr. Trump.

Both presidents had personal motivations for resolving the crisis before Inauguration Day. For Mr. Biden, the agreement symbolizes a capstone achievement, offering hope of ending the deadliest chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bringing freedom to American and Israeli hostages. For Mr. Trump, the deal clears a major issue off the agenda as he prepares for his second term, enabling him to focus on new priorities.

This bipartisan effort, just five days before a presidential transition, was an anomaly in Washington’s typically adversarial political climate. Nonetheless, the cooperation quickly gave way to partisan disputes over who deserved credit for the breakthrough.

Mr. Trump preempted Mr. Biden in announcing the deal via an emphatic social media post, declaring, “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could only happen because of our Historic Victory in November.” Later, Mr. Biden, speaking at the White House, acknowledged the collaboration but bristled at questions about credit, responding, “Is that a joke?”

Despite its uneasy dynamics, this partnership stood out in an era of sharp political division. “It’s remarkable,” said Mara Rudman, a former Middle East peace envoy. “The success lies in shared credit, and that’s part of why it worked.”

While the agreement may not signal lasting collaboration between the two leaders, analysts agreed that both played pivotal roles. The final deal was largely based on a proposal Mr. Biden introduced in May, which his Middle East team, led by Brett H. McGurk, worked to refine. Mr. Trump’s looming presidency, coupled with his bold ultimatum that hostages be freed by his inauguration, likely influenced Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Mr. Trump first after the deal’s announcement, expressing gratitude for his support in ensuring Gaza does not remain a haven for terrorism. Mr. Biden received a brief mention later in Netanyahu’s statement.

Mr. Trump contributed more than rhetoric, authorizing his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to collaborate with Mr. McGurk’s team to finalize negotiations. Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski noted, “This was Biden’s deal, but Trump’s involvement was crucial—not just his threats but his direct communication with Netanyahu.”

Some Republicans, including Senator Thom Tillis, praised the bipartisan effort, commending the collaboration between the Biden administration and Trump transition team.

Few moments in history have seen such overlapping interests during a transition. Instances like Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s failed cooperation during the Great Depression and Jimmy Carter’s solitary efforts to free hostages in Iran illustrate the rarity of such joint action.

The war’s evolving dynamics also shaped the cease-fire negotiations. Since May, Israel had significantly weakened Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s regional influence. The change in U.S. leadership added urgency to resolving the conflict, as Mr. Trump pushed for an end to the war, concerned about its impact on Israel’s global reputation.

While both presidents have strained relationships with Netanyahu, their efforts culminated in a deal that marks the end of a 15-month-long crisis. In his remarks, Mr. Biden expressed relief, emphasizing the importance of unity in leadership. “This agreement was negotiated by my administration but will be implemented by the next,” he said. “We’ve spoken with one voice because that’s what American presidents do.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump presented the agreement as his own triumph, promising more victories upon his return to office. “Imagine the incredible things we’ll achieve when my Administration is fully operational!” he wrote on social media.