President-elect Donald Trump's national security adviser pick, Florida Representative Mike Waltz, has given Trump credit for the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal reached on Tuesday.
Waltz wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, "Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump. His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won't be tolerated. I'm glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East."
The congressman gave no mention of President Joe Biden or his administration, which brokered the deal to end nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that supports Hamas in the war in Gaza.
Newsweek reached out to Trump's team via email for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
Jake Sullivan Speaks on Ceasefire Deal
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, whose spot Waltz will take in Trump's next administration if confirmed by the incoming GOP-led Senate, said on Wednesday that he kept Waltz in the loop about the ceasefire negotiations but firmly pushed back on the idea that Trump deserved credit for the long-sought deal.
"I would just point out that you know you've done a really good thing when other people take credit for it," Sullivan told CNN.
What Has Joe Biden Said About the Israel-Hezbollah Deal?
Biden said in the Rose Garden on Tuesday that fighting between Israel and Hezbollah will now end, but he warned that if the Lebanese militant group or anyone else breaks the deal, Israel has the right to defend itself.
"The fighting across the Lebanese-Israeli border will end. Will end. This is designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities," Biden said. "If Hezbollah or anyone else breaks the deal and poses a direct threat to Israel, then Israel retains the right to self-defense consistent with international law just like any country when facing a terrorist group pledged to that country's destruction."
The president also said the U.S., along with "Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others," would try again to get a ceasefire deal in Gaza. Since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel subsequently launched a military operation in the region, mediators have failed to get the two sides to agree to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.
Lindsey Graham Tips Hat to Biden And Trump
Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and Trump ally, praised the Biden Administration's "hard work" on the ceasefire deal while also acknowledging Trump's "support" in the process.
"I appreciate the hard work of the Biden Administration, supported by President Trump, to make this ceasefire a reality," Graham said in a statement on Tuesday. "My hope is that we can soon achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and allow peaceful solutions to replace endless conflict."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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