This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
Joe Biden is taking full credit for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, even though his administration was unable to break through for a deal for a year, and the movement started only after President-elect Donald Trump suggested "hell to pay" should Hamas not start releasing hostage by the time he takes office Monday.
Biden called a question about whether Trump should be credited a "joke."
The Washington Examiner pointed out the "deal" involving Israel and Hamas was 15 months in the making after the terrorists from Gaza launched a war against Israel, killing 1,200 and kidnapping 250 in one day's attack.
Biden conceded it was "at long last" that he was confirming a ceasefire and hostage release plan.
The U.S., Egypt and Qatar have been trying to find a deal to which Hamas and Israel could agree for months.
The Examiner reported, "The first phase of the deal includes Hamas releasing a number of hostages, including women, in addition to older and wounded hostages, as Israel starts to withdraw from Gaza. In exchange for the hostages, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners and send humanitarian aid to Gaza."
A second phase is for the war to end and more prisoners exchanged. A third involves reconstruction.
Biden took credit for the structure of the agree, proposed by the U.S. last year.
He did admit Trump will have to manage the end result of the work. But asked if Trump should be credited with helping the deal advance, he said, "Is that a joke?"
Trump had warned Hamas that there would be "hell to pay" should there be no movement on releasing the hostages by Monday.
Trump earlier had confirmed the ceasefire plans on social media.
"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly," he said.
He added, "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!"
WND previously reported that Vice President-elect JD Vance told "Fox News Sunday" what was his interpretation of Trump's threat there would be "hell to pay" for Hamas if the terrorist group did not release the remaining 99 hostages – both dead and alive – before his Jan. 20 inauguration.
