In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump's administration worked closely with the outgoing Biden administration to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. A key figure in these negotiations revealed that the collaboration was crucial in achieving a deal. The talks began after Trump's resounding defeat of Kamala Harris in the election. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the author, a chief negotiator on talks to free hostages held by Hamas, briefed their successors in a secure room in the US Capitol.
The negotiations had stalled in August after Hamas terrorists murdered six hostages, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in a tunnel under Rafah. The incident occurred shortly after Biden, along with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, presented a new proposal endorsed by Israel. However, with the change in administration, the US saw an opportunity to revive the talks. The author reached out to Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former Middle East hand, to propose a joint effort to secure a Gaza deal.
The circumstances were favorable, with Israel having won a string of military victories. In September, Israel launched Operation Grim Beeper, which targeted Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The operation was followed by a ground assault into Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, resulting in the death of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Iran's subsequent massive ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1 was largely defeated, but not before a direct hit on a college dormitory in Tel Aviv.
The author revealed that the Israeli military killing of Hamas's leader, Yahya Sinwar, on October 16 removed a major obstacle to a deal. Sinwar's death allowed the Israelis to be more flexible on some terms, and the US worked closely with the Israelis on a counterattack against Iran's strategic air defense systems on October 26. The aim was to change the balance of power without triggering a wider war.
With the tables turned on Iran, Sinwar dead, and Hezbollah's leadership decimated, the US predicted that Hezbollah would soon accept a ceasefire deal with Israel. This would be the moment to return to the Gaza deal, picking up where they had left off in August. The author made a strong case to Kushner that if Israel and Hamas knew that Trump would implement the deal on the table, they had a chance to close it before he took office.
Kushner agreed to work with the Biden administration to secure a Gaza deal. He revealed that his successor on the Middle East would be someone close to Trump, a pragmatic problem-solver who would want to work with the author. The author was succeeded by Steve Witkoff, a real-estate tycoon and Trump's best friend. Biden invited Trump to the Oval on November 13, mostly for a one-on-one meeting, where they discussed a smooth transition.
The unlikely partnership between the Biden and Trump administrations ultimately contributed to a Gaza ceasefire. The negotiations demonstrate that even in a polarized Washington, bipartisan cooperation can lead to significant achievements. The author emphasized that the goal was to save lives and prevent further conflict in the region.
Key points
- The US saw an opportunity to revive stalled Gaza negotiations after Trump's election victory.
- Israel's military victories, including the killing of Hamas's leader Yahya Sinwar, contributed to a shift in the balance of power.
- The unlikely partnership between the Biden and Trump administrations was crucial in achieving a Gaza ceasefire.
