Israeli prime minister lauds Trump’s leadership when asked if Biden should take credit for ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump’s leadership and credited him for his role in the ceasefire deal reached in the waning days of the Biden administration. During a joint press conference with Trump in the Oval Office, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude for Trump’s strong leadership in the effort to secure the ceasefire.

“I think President Trump had a great force and powerful leadership in this effort. I appreciate it,” Netanyahu said. “He sent a very good emissary. He’s helped a lot. And, you know, I’m happy that they’re here. And I’m sure the president is happy that they’re here. And I would think that’s about enough.”

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was reached on Jan. 15, just days before Biden left office and Trump took over on Jan. 20. Both Biden and Trump had claimed credit for the achievement, with Biden highlighting the negotiations carried out by his administration in his farewell address.

Netanyahu emphasized the importance of working together with the United States and President Trump to increase the chances of peace in the Middle East. He stated that when Israel and the U.S. collaborate effectively, it improves the prospects for reaching a lasting peace agreement.

During the press conference, Trump discussed the role of Iran in funding Hamas and Hezbollah, highlighting that Iran’s financial constraints during his first administration prevented the escalation of conflict in the region. He expressed confidence that under his leadership, Iran would not have been able to support Hamas in their attacks on Israel.

Netanyahu vowed to bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas and asserted that Hamas would not remain in control of Gaza for much longer. Trump echoed his concerns about the dangers of the situation in Gaza, emphasizing that it would only lead to more death and destruction if the conflict continued.

Overall, the joint press conference between Netanyahu and Trump underscored the importance of strong leadership and collaboration between Israel and the United States in addressing the challenges in the Middle East region. The ceasefire deal and the future prospects for peace were key topics of discussion, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to working together towards a sustainable resolution.