Months of tedious talks over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza – negotiations that required officials from an outgoing and incoming presidential administration to put aside their fundamental differences – culminated in an intense late-night push for an agreement that finally came to fruition on Wednesday.

Rarely if ever have representatives of current and new presidents of different parties worked together at such a high-stakes moment.

Biden confirmed the ceasefire agreement in a speech on Wednesday afternoon, noting that it was his administration who negotiated the deal but it will be Trump’s administration that ensures it is implemented. The agreement comes after a 15-month-war wreaked havoc across Israel and Gaza, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Officials said breakthrough came when Trump applied pressure on Israeli government, something Biden was unwilling to do

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks after negotiators reached a phased deal for a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, during remarks at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.

President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump are both claiming credit for Israel and Hamas agreeing to a ceasefire deal in Gaza after the White House brought Trump’s Middle East envoy into neg

President Biden announced a deal between Israel and Hamas to cease fighting and begin a process to return hostages on both sides after weeks of intense negotiations in Qatar. “At long last, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire-and-hostage deal that will end fighting in Gaza, and added it was reached by working alongside the incoming Donald Trump administration.