During his four years as president, Democrat Joe Biden experienced a sustained series of defeats at the U.S. Supreme Court, whose ascendant conservative majority blew holes in his agenda and dashed precedents long cherished by American liberals.

The ceasefire deal is the same one Biden put forward months ago. If he had pushed harder, thousands of lives could have been saved.

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While President-elect Trump and President Biden jockey for credit for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, some Republicans are wary of the deal and whether it will stick.

Their dealmaking cooperation represents an unusual moment in the polarized world of U.S. politics. But it did not stop both Trump and Biden from touting their respective roles.

Months of tedious talks over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza – negotiations that required officials from an outgoing and incoming presidential administration to put aside their fundamental differences – culminated in an intense late-night push for an agreement that finally came to fruition on Wednesday.

Amid the relief over a reported ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and an end to the slaughter in Gaza, there are also plenty of questions about why the deal couldn't have been signed eight months ago.

President Joe Biden argued in a farewell foreign policy address that he made the country stronger and more secure ahead of Donald Trump's return.

A source close to the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar told ABC News that Israel is waiting for Hamas to approve moving into a final "closing round of negotiations," adding there is a "real chance" for a "breakthrough" after a diplomatic blitz in Doha this weekend.

The Biden administration called for a final push before the president leaves office, with many seeing the Trump inauguration as an unofficial deadline.

(THE CONVERSATION) A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is expected to take effect on Jan. 19, 2025, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Even as Israel’s cabinet delayed until Jan. 17 its vote to ratify the complex deal, Blinken said he is “ very confident this is moving forward .”