White House national security communications adviser John Kirby expressed confidence that the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal will be implemented, following 467 days of war. Kirby credited the deal to a team effort, including the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying “there’s plenty of credit to go around.”
Kirby recognized Steve Witkoff, President-elect Trump’s incoming Middle East special envoy, as a key figure in brokering the deal. He stated that the Biden administration worked closely with the Trump team, including Witkoff, to ensure a smooth transition.
The “bottom line” for the US, according to Kirby, is “getting the deal, getting the hostages home, getting the war to end.” Both President-elect Trump and President Biden shared this goal, and their teams worked together to achieve it.
As of Wednesday, Kirby was “confident” that the deal would be implemented, acknowledging that there is still “hard work” ahead. The agreement is set to take effect on Sunday, just one day before Trump’s inauguration.