"The timing of the ceasefire is no coincidence," says Middle East expert Firas Maksad after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of war. "Undoubtedly, there is this Trump effect," he adds during an interview in Washington, DC, during which he also highlights the "shared credit" deserved by the teams of both US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump for their efforts to facilitate a deal. SOUNDBITES