WASHINGTON — Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan somewhat begrudgingly credited President Trump for successfully brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas that had been elusive to former President Joe Biden.
Sullivan contended that “time and circumstance” enabled Trump to get it done and claimed that the basic framework was similar to the concept that the prior administration had in mind to end the Israel-Hamas war.
“It’s only now, after all that time, that we have gotten to a deal,” Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday when pressed on why Biden wasn’t able to get the deal done.
“In April and May and June, July, August, September, it didn’t happen,” he continued. “I think it’s also a question that the Trump administration has to grapple with, because, of course, they have been in charge for quite some time now.”
Last Wednesday, Hamas agreed to a peace framework that Trump had championed, and the Israeli cabinet formally approved of it the following day. Trump had unveiled his 20-point peace plan on Sept 29.
Sullivan had been one of the driving forces behind the Biden administration’s efforts to end the war. His old job is now being occupied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I’m still holding my breath, because I want to see those hostage families reunited with the hostages who have just been going through hell for almost two years,” Sullivan said of the deal.
“I’m feeling very good this morning, although I won’t feel totally comfortable until we actually see this thing fully implemented.”
Hamas is expected to release the 20 living hostages by Monday, and a massive influx of humanitarian aid is expected to flood into Gaza around that time.
Trump is set to touch down in Israel on Monday and address the Knesset before heading over to Egypt as he marks the breakthrough diplomatic achievement.
Sullivan went most of the interview without crediting Trump of his own volition. After being prodded by host Dana Bash about whether Trump deserves credit, Sullivan agreed that he did.
“I give credit to President Trump. I give credit to [special envoy Steve] Witkoff and [Jared] Kushner and Rubio. These are hard jobs,” Sullivan said.
“Now the question is, can we make sure this sticks as we go forward?”
Sullivan also claimed that the peace plan is not that different from the one that the Biden administration had eyed.
“In concept, it’s pretty similar. Hamas cannot remain in power. We need to see the rebuilding of Gaza funded by the international community, including the Gulf states,” he said. “We need an interim governance structure. We need strong support from the Arab countries.”
“All of those elements have been with us for quite some time now,” he went on. “I think one of the things that’s changed, obviously, is all the circumstances.”
