Trump Team Claims Lebanon Ceasefire Deal is His Win, Not Biden’s

The Biden administration kept President-elect Donald Trump’s team informed about efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which was implemented early Wednesday. Trump’s team, in turn, quickly claimed credit for the agreement, citing it as evidence of the effectiveness of Trump’s policies.

Rep. Mike Waltz, who was chosen by Trump to be his national security adviser, took to social media to praise the deal, suggesting that Trump’s leadership was the driving force behind the ceasefire and highlighting the impact of Trump’s victory on global stability.

The coordination between the Biden and Trump teams on this issue marked a rare instance of collaboration during the transition period. Just the day before the ceasefire agreement, Trump’s transition team had reached an agreement with Biden’s administration allowing them to coordinate with the federal government ahead of Trump’s inauguration. There has been other cooperation between the two sides, including discussions between Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and Waltz.

President Biden spoke in the Rose Garden, emphasizing that the ceasefire was a critical step towards broader peace in the Middle East. He expressed hope that the agreement would lead to a de-escalation of the situation in Gaza, where Hamas continues to hold hostages. The U.S. and Israel plan to engage in talks with countries like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey to bring stability to Gaza.

However, Trump’s team also played a significant role in the ceasefire negotiations, with Biden’s team briefing them on the progress. While Trump’s team wasn’t directly involved in the talks, their awareness of the ongoing negotiations was deemed important. Trump’s supporters, including Waltz, argued that the prospect of his return to power pressured both sides to finalize the agreement. Waltz also directed attention to Iran, Hezbollah’s primary backer, warning that the U.S. would not tolerate Iran’s support for terrorism.

Trump allies, such as Senator Lindsey Graham, acknowledged the contributions of both the Biden administration and Trump’s team in making the ceasefire happen. Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, suggested that Iran was likely reevaluating its position, anticipating Trump’s return to power.

The Biden administration, despite the positive momentum from the ceasefire, still hopes it can revive efforts to reach a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which had been gaining ground before the conflict in Gaza escalated. Biden had previously stated that the U.S. was close to a historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could have a lasting impact on Middle Eastern peace. However, the ongoing crisis in Gaza has hampered those efforts.

The normalization initiative, which began during Trump’s presidency with the Abraham Accords, aims to improve Israel’s relations with Arab nations and reshape the regional landscape. Biden’s administration intends to keep Trump’s team informed about these ongoing diplomatic efforts.