Donald Trump claims credit for Israel-Hamas ‘epic’ ceasefire agreement, ushering in ‘peace through strength’

President-elect Donald Trump swiftly claimed credit Wednesday for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas after news of it emerged.

Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has attended the recent round of talks in Doha, the Qatari capital.

Biden administration officials, while crediting Mr Witkoff’s contribution during the last phase of the negotiations as crucial to their success, have been careful to say that he has not directly participated in the negotiations.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our historic victory in November, as it signalled to the entire world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our allies,” Mr Trump posted on Truth Social, his social media network.

In a statement Wednesday, President Joe Biden emphasized the long, painstaking nature of the talks, which involved diplomacy among Egypt, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Hamas and the United States, beginning long before Mr Trump won re-election.

“I laid out the precise contours of this plan on May 31, 2024, after which it was endorsed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council,” Mr Biden said.

“It is the result not only of the extreme pressure that Hamas has been under and the changed regional equation after a ceasefire in Lebanon and weakening of Iran - but also of dogged and painstaking American diplomacy. My diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.”

A diplomat briefed on the ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas credited progress in the talks in part to the influence of Mr Trump, saying it was “the first time there has been real pressure on the Israeli side to accept a deal.”

Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas were deadlocked for months. The contours of the current deal suggest that Israeli negotiators offered concessions on issues that had previously impeded a breakthrough, according to the diplomat, who spoke in an interview Wednesday on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door discussions.

The negotiations also have been aided by Hamas’s diminished position, the diplomat said, noting that “Hamas doesn’t have the capacity to say no to anything.”

Since the October death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the militant group’s officials in Doha have held fewer high-level meetings and rarely use its official office in the Qatari capital, the diplomat added.

“Operationally, they are very weak; no one wants to be seen as a leader,” he said.

While both sides agreed to the initial ceasefire - involving the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners - the most challenging elements of a deal, including who will administer the Gaza Strip, have been pushed to the second phase of the agreement, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.

“With this deal in place,” Mr Trump said in his social media post, his national security team - through Witkoff - “will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven.”

Mr Trump said the United States would continue to promote “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH” throughout the region.

“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!” Mr Trump wrote.

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