Trump was quick to claim that he was the decisive force behind the agreement, taking all the credit even before Biden had a chance to speak..

“This ceasefire agreement could only happen as a result of our historic victory in November, as it sent a message to the world that my administration will seek peace and negotiate to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies,” he wrote on his page..

But Trump's determination to claim the breakthrough agreement as his own success is hampering Biden and his aides. Biden said the agreement fits the "

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Biden's team simply invited Trump officials to join the effort because they would inherit any agreement that is reached, notes Jamie Dettmer, opinion editor at Politico Europe..

The truth is that Biden's aides have been tirelessly trying to persuade Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership to reach an agreement. And at various times over the past 15 months, they truly believed they were close - but each time they were disappointed.

What appears to have really changed the dynamic, however, is Trump's Jan. 7 announcement, coupled with very aggressive pressure from his soon-to-be Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff—at least according to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and several seasoned observers.

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" If these hostages don't come back before I'm in power,"

But Trump wasn't really talking to Hamas..

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The decisive factor appears to have been the new Trump administration's pressure on Netanyahu to accept the agreement, according to Hugh Lovatt and Muhammad Shehada of the European Council on Foreign Relations..

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According to Chatham House's Sanam Vakil, Donald Trump's "

“The Biden administration was not ready to put adequate pressure on the Israeli leadership,” he added..

Recall that the Israeli Cabinet ratified an agreement on a ceasefire and the exchange of dozens of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians in Israeli prisons and the suspension of the 15-month war in Gaza for at least six weeks. The government meeting lasted seven hours. As a result, 24 ministers voted “for”, eight - “against”. The agreement will come into force on January 19.