Joe Biden. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/FileFormer President Joe Biden said he’s “deeply grateful and relieved” after the final 20 hostages held by Hamas were freed — marking what could be a turning point in the long and bloody conflict in Gaza.
In a statement posted on X, Biden said the hostages had “been through unimaginable hell” and were finally reunited with their families.
He also extended sympathy to civilians in Gaza, saying they had suffered “immeasurable loss” and now had a chance to rebuild their lives.
Biden said securing the deal “was not easy,” adding that his administration worked relentlessly to bring the hostages home, send humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and push for an end to the fighting.
In a rare bipartisan nod, the former president also praised his successor — Donald Trump — and his team for helping finalize the ceasefire agreement.
“I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line,” Biden said. “With the backing of the United States and the world, the Middle East is on a path to peace that I hope endures.”
The deal builds on an earlier understanding reached in January 2025, when Hamas agreed to free hostages in phases in return for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The unusual cooperation between two political rivals — Biden and Trump — has caught attention in Washington, where moments of cross-party unity have become increasingly rare.
Reactions have been mixed across the region. In Israel, families of the freed hostages welcomed the news with tears and relief.
In Gaza, residents expressed cautious optimism that the ceasefire would hold long enough for aid and reconstruction to begin.
The release of the final hostages is being seen as a major step toward de-escalation. But whether it leads to lasting peace remains uncertain, as both sides brace for what comes next in a region still on edge.
0 Comments