WASHINGTON — Retiring President Biden said Wednesday that US citizens will be among those released by Hamas as part of a Gaza Strip cease-fire deal — while refusing to give any credit to President-elect Donald Trump for escalating pressure on the terrorist group.
“I’m proud to say Americans will be part of that hostage release in phase one,” Biden, 82, said at the White House after Qatar’s government announced the agreement, in which hostages are expected to be released as early as Sunday.
Biden repeatedly refused to give any credit to Trump, 78, who had threatened “hell” for the terrorist group if they did not release the hostages by the time he takes office on Monday.
Asked about the contribution of Trump’s envoys to sealing the agreement, Biden replied, “Well, you know, this the exact framework of the deal I proposed back in May, the exact.”
When a reporter pressed whether he or Trump deserved credit, Biden said, “Is that a joke? Oh —” before walking away.
