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Israel-Hamas Ceasefire. Who Really Brokered The Peace—Biden Or Trump? Is This Really A Ceasefire Or An Agenda Hidden?
In a dramatic end to 15 months of relentless conflict, the Israel-Hamas ceasefire has not only halted the devastation but also sparked a heated debate over who deserves the credit for brokering peace. Is it outgoing President Joe Biden, trying to cap off his term with a foreign policy triumph, or the incoming President Donald Trump, who has never been shy about claiming the spotlight?
The Biden Angle. Diplomatic Persistence or Political Convenience?
President Biden announced the ceasefire deal on Wednesday evening, emphasizing that his diplomatic efforts “never ceased” during his administration. His team, he claimed, had developed and negotiated the agreement, which he hailed as a testament to the United States’ commitment to global peace and stability.
However, Biden’s support for Israel throughout the conflict, coupled with his administration’s sanctioning of weapons deals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drew sharp criticism from progressive factions within his party. Critics argue that Biden’s negotiations lacked leverage, as the U.S. repeatedly gave in to Israeli demands.
When asked if Trump deserved any credit for the breakthrough, Biden seemed visibly annoyed. “Is that a joke?” he quipped, brushing off the idea that his successor played a decisive role.
Trump’s Victory Lap…And Taking the Credit
Even before United States President Joe Biden could announce the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, not one to let an opportunity slip by, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare his role in the ceasefire and revealed that a deal had been reached hours before Biden confirmed the agreement in a statement from the White House on Wednesday evening.
“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November,” Trump wrote, attributing the deal to his electoral win and the incoming administration’s commitment to peace.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was sent to Qatar to join the negotiations. Reports suggest that Witkoff’s involvement, combined with his collaboration with Biden’s negotiator Brett McGurk, played a pivotal role in pushing Netanyahu towards an agreement.
A Shared Effort
Even as Biden and Trump trade barbs, insiders suggest that the ceasefire was a product of cooperation between both administrations. Biden officials privately acknowledged that Witkoff’s efforts, alongside McGurk’s, were instrumental in swaying Netanyahu. A recording leaked by journalist Ken Klippenstein revealed a Biden official admitting that Witkoff’s role had been “very important.”
Meanwhile, in Israel, media outlets and political analysts debated whether Netanyahu’s timing of the ceasefire was politically motivated—a gesture of goodwill towards Trump ahead of his inauguration.
Did Trump Push Netanyahu to the Table?
Jean-Loup Samaan, a senior research fellow at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, suggests Trump’s team played a decisive role. According to Samaan, Trump was keen to avoid the optics of an unresolved war as he returned to the Oval Office. Sending his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to the negotiations in Qatar was seen as a signal of his intent to expedite peace.
Samaan also noted the political balancing act for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Accepting the ceasefire under pressure from Trump could serve as a way for Netanyahu to placate his far-right allies, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, by portraying himself as having “no choice” but to cooperate with the incoming U.S. administration.
While Witkoff’s role has been acknowledged, there’s speculation about whether his influence was overstated to enhance Trump’s image as a Middle East dealmaker. As Samaan noted, the timing could be politically calculated to frame the Trump team as more effective on peace issues in the region.
Biden’s Carter Moment?
For Biden, the ceasefire represents an awkward echo of former President Jimmy Carter’s final days in office. Carter, who passed away recently at the age of 100, had worked tirelessly to secure the release of 52 Americans held hostage in Iran. However, the hostages were freed moments after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president, handing Reagan a major political victory while Carter’s efforts faded into the background.
Similarly, Biden’s team claims to have worked persistently to negotiate the ceasefire, yet Trump’s involvement has overshadowed those efforts. Biden’s critics argue that his administration’s unwavering support for Netanyahu throughout the war left little room for leverage, making his role in the ceasefire appear less consequential.
The Angle
What if the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas isn’t what it seems? What if there’s a covert strategy behind this truce.
While Donald Trump may have played a key role in shaping this agreement, was there a clandestine communication between Trump and Netanyahu? Is it possible that Israel, unable to decisively win the war, seeks to lull Hamas into a false sense of security before launching a renewed offensive? Allegedly, Netanyahu himself made a covert appeal to Trump for support.
According to a bombshell report by Israel’s YNet News on January 14, Trump allegedly made a startling promise to Netanyahu. The former U.S. President reportedly assured the Israeli leader that once a ceasefire with Hamas is in place, Israel would have the green light to resume its military campaign. Even more shocking, Trump is said to have offered to lift sanctions on NSO Group, the controversial Israeli spyware company.
This claim, citing a source familiar with the matter, adds that Trump assured Netanyahu and Minister Ron Dermer that he would support Israel if it decided to breach the ceasefire and return to combat operations in Gaza.
Orchestrated Theater And ‘Special Gift’
While this deal might temporarily address one of Netanyahu’s challenges, it’s unlikely to placate hardliners within his coalition. Right-wing nationalists and settlers may view this as an unacceptable concession. Intriguingly, some sources argue that the public drama—including opposition from right-wing factions—could be a staged performance, orchestrated to serve broader, undisclosed interests.
Adding fuel to the fire, the report suggests Trump’s offerings to Israel extend beyond military matters. Allegedly, he promised to roll back Biden-era sanctions targeting settlers and far-right groups, a move that would curry favor with Netanyahu’s base. Furthermore, Trump is rumored to be preparing a full-scale offensive against the International Criminal Court in The Hague. This includes combating arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and other senior Israeli officials.
This explosive report emerged just as Israel and Hamas appeared on the verge of finalizing a ceasefire. Could these alleged backroom deals explain the sudden shift in dynamics? Or is this merely the tip of a deeper, more complex iceberg?
The truth may remain shrouded in secrecy, but one thing is clear—this truce, if it holds, might carry implications far beyond the battlefield.
The ceasefire might mark a step toward stability in the Middle East, but it has also become a stage for political maneuvering. Trump’s allies are eager to portray his team as the architects of peace, while Biden struggles to solidify his legacy amidst waning public approval.
As with many geopolitical events, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Trump’s envoy may have pushed the negotiations forward, but the groundwork was laid during Biden’s administration. However, even as the ‘new angle’ has emerged as the possible reasons behind the ceasefire, it remains to be seen what happens in the coming days and months
In the end, the people of Gaza are the ones who stand to benefit most—if the fragile peace holds— and the ceasefire.