Clinton, Schumer praise Trump for Gaza cease-fire, hostage release

by · UPI

Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Former President Bill Clinton and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, two prominent Democrats, praised President Donald Trump on Monday for the cease-fire in Gaza and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.

Schumer called Monday a "wonderful day," as all 20 living hostages held by Hamas were returned to Israel before Trump and other world leaders signed a cease-fire agreement for Gaza. The hostages had been held for 738 days after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel responded with war in Gaza.

"Finally, finally, finally, the last living hostages brutally held by Hamas are home, an immense and overwhelming sigh of relief," the Senate Democrat from New York said in a statement.

"I commend the enormous advocacy of the tireless hostage families, President Trump, his administration and all who helped make this moment happen," Schumer added.

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Clinton echoed Schumer's reaction with his own statement about the "horrors of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the conflict they reignited."

"I'm grateful that a cease-fire has taken hold, that the last 20 living hostages have been freed and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza," the former president said.

"President Trump and his administration, Qatar and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached," Clinton added as he called for a "lasting peace."

While other Democrats praised and celebrated Monday's cease-fire, many did not mention Trump.

"Today is a good day. Surviving Israeli hostages are finally home and reuniting with loved ones; I'm thinking of them and their families on this joyful day and praying for their full recovery," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said in a statement.

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., called for a "just and lasting peace in the region."

"Thankful that all 20 living Israeli hostages are home with their loved ones, and that humanitarian assistance is being surged into Gaza for Palestinian civilians," Jeffries wrote in a post on X.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., also avoided Trump in his own statement about the cease-fire and hostage release.

"After two years of abduction and torture, every living hostage is finally home. Those who were taken on Oct. 7th will outlast the terrorist organization that tore them from their families and homes and unleashed a war of untold suffering," Torres wrote in his post on X.

"Against all odds, the timeless call to 'Let My People Go' has been answered."