By Kate Plummer

Copyright newsweek

A White House official has reacted after former President Barack Obama posted about the Gaza ceasefire deal without mentioning President Donald Trump.

Writing on X, Steven Cheung, assistant to the President and the White House director of communications, called on Obama to reference Trump in response to the former president’s post in which he said: “We should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight.”

Newsweek reached out to the White House and representatives for Obama by email to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.

President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama meet at the White House on January 20, 2017.

Why It Matters

Israel and Hamas have agreed to an initial phase of a peace plan in Gaza announced by Trump last week, in what could see an end to a conflict that has caused widespread death, food shortages and security threats.

Since both sides agreed on Thursday to pause fighting and release some hostages and prisoners, prominent Republicans and MAGA figures have heaped praise on Trump, with some calling for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize—which on Friday was awarded to Venezuelan democracy activist María Corina Machado.

Cheung’s response to Obama shows a rift between those who want to credit Trump for the deal and Trump’s rivals, who may seek to minimize the president’s role in negotiating the deal—though there is no suggestion that this was Obama’s intention.

It also comes amid escalating tensions between Trump and Obama. In July, the Trump administration accused Obama of treason regarding Russian influence in previous presidential elections. Obama has denied these allegations.

What To Know

The deal will see Israel release Palestinian prisoners and individuals from Gaza detained during the war. The U.S. will also send 200 troops to the region to monitor the ceasefire, according to The Associated Press.

Writing on X, Obama said: “After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered. More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza—and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace.”

Cheung responded to the post: “Say his name… PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”

Meanwhile, other Trump allies also criticized Obama for not mentioning Trump. Donald Trump Jr. responded: “I’ll finish it for you. ‘Thank you, Donald Trump.’”

Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri said: “He couldn’t even utter Trump’s name. Obama was the most divisive President in modern American history and even in a moment of great accomplishment and peace he couldn’t be a unifier. Sad.”

However Thomas Gift, the founding director of the University College London Centre on U.S. Politics, told Newsweek that while it was “hardly surprising that the Trump White House wants to raise attention to the president’s critical role in brokering the ceasefire,” arguing that “Obama needs to expressly praise Donald Trump for it overstates the norm.”

He added: “Former presidents generally avoid inserting themselves into partisan scorekeeping, especially on issues as sensitive as war and peace.”

What People Are Saying

Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his government meeting on Thursday: “We couldn’t have achieved it without the extraordinary help of President Trump and his team, Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner.”

He added: “That, and the courage of our soldiers who entered Gaza, had a combined military and diplomatic pressure that isolated Hamas. I believe these brought us to this point.”

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas told Israel’s Channel 12 on Thursday: “What happened today is a historic moment. We have been hoping—and continue to hope—that we can bring an end to the bloodshed taking place in our land, whether in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, or East Jerusalem.”

Hostages and Missing Families Forum, on Thursday, said in a letter to Trump: “We wri…