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President Donald J. Trump’s indomitable resolve and masterful diplomacy culminated yesterday with the release of all remaining hostages, an end to the conflict in Gaza, and a robust foundation for sustainable peace. Amid whirlwind visits to Israel and Egypt, President Trump celebrated this generational victory for peace and heralded a new era for a region long plagued by strife.

President Trump’s defining global leadership united a diverse, bipartisan coalition of former Presidents, world leaders, experts, journalists, and others in widespread praise:

ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman: “I think today what I’ve been mostly struck by is Donald Trump’s sheer force of personality. There are not many men, not many leaders who can walk into the Knesset in Israel to such rapturous applause, such a warm welcome, to clearly know so many members of the Israeli leadership so personally. He’s been in the weeds on this. Then, less than an hour later, appear in a room of world leaders — Arab and Muslim leaders — and have the same kind of warm welcome. It really is his force of nature which has managed to make this happen.”

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce: “An amazing accomplishment [for President Trump]… the praise is much deserved. He played a very pivotal role here — an incredibly pivotal role — in getting this deal across the finish line, in a way that, as he knows, his predecessor was unable to do.”

Agence France Presse Journalist Léon Bruneau: “US President Donald Trump has undeniably scored a diplomatic victory by helping to broker a truce for Gaza.”

NBC Nightly News Host Tom Llamas: “A remarkable diplomatic achievement.”

NBC News Chief International Correspondent Keir Simmons: “Trump left Egypt after a stunning display of personal and presidential power.”

NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Peter Alexander: “The President’s name echoing Israel’s parliament as he touted his landmark diplomatic success.”

NBC News National Security Editor David Rhode: “It’s to President Trump’s credit. He brought more pressure, again, as I said earlier, on Prime Minister Netanyahu than any other American President has to make this moment happen. He’s very personally committed to hostages.”

CBS Evening News Co-Host Tom Dickerson: “There is more hope for peace in the Middle East tonight than there has been for a very long time… This is the first phase of the Trump Peace Plan.”

Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau Chief Michael Wilner: “A significant U.S. diplomatic achievement that has ended hostilities in Gaza after two brutal years of war.”

MSNBC Co-Host Joe Scarborough: “Just an extraordinary day, and unlike I think any day I’ve ever seen, certainly coming out of the Middle East.”

NBC News Senior National Political Reporter Jonathan Allen: “What is clear today is that the remaining living Hamas-held hostages have been released, Israeli defense forces have pulled back to defensive positions, more aid is making its way into Gaza, and the United States — with Trump leading the way — is at the center of an international coalition dedicating itself to maintaining peace and rebuilding Gaza. It’s hard to find political leaders in the U.S., or elsewhere, who think those are bad outcomes.”

Sky News U.S. Correspondent Mark Stone: “The day was also an unquestionable and game-changing geopolitical achievement. Trump stopped the war, he stopped the killing, he forced Hamas to release all the hostages, he demanded Israel to free prisoners held without any judicial process, he enabled aid to be delivered to Gaza, and he committed everyone to a roadmap, of sorts, ahead. He did all that and more. He also made the Israel-Palestine conflict, which the world has ignored for decades, a cause that European and Middle Eastern nations are now committed to invest in. No one, it seems, can ignore Trump. Love him or loathe him, those are remarkable achievements.”

The Wall Street Journal Reporters Robbie Gramer and Ian Lovett: “President Trump scored a major foreign-policy win in Gaza by brokering the release of hostages from captivity and securing an end to the fighting between Israel and Hamas.”

The Washington Post Editorial Board: “In a region where the United States has had little diplomatic success in recent decades, the president can fairly claim a generational accomplishment.”

The Washington Post Intelligence Lead Global Security Analyst Josh Rogin: “Credit to Trump for realizing that America actually has the power to pressure both the Arab countries and Israel to do things that are in their shared interest — and that’s a good thing.”

Former President Joe Biden: “I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line.”

Former President Bill Clinton: “President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached.”

Former Vice President Mike Pence: “All 20 living hostages are home thanks to the steadfast leadership of President Donald Trump and I join voices across America, Israel and around the world commending our president for bringing us to this historic day. Mr. President, your relentless pursuit of peace and steadfast support for Israel brought about this day of joy and relief for Israeli families and all who have suffered in the aftermath of the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7th. Thanks to your leadership, the people of Israel and the Middle East are now on the path to what we pray will be a just and lasting peace. God Bless You President @realDonaldTrump”

Former Vice President Kamala Harris: “Through diplomacy and persistence, today is an important first step toward a more hopeful future. I commend the leaders and partners whose efforts made this agreement possible, including the President and his team.”

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich: “It’s an extraordinary moment. Israel has been embattled for almost its entire — nearly 80 years — of existence, and suddenly Donald Trump comes along, changes the whole game. No American president has done anything like this.”

Former Obama Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta: “This achievement — and it is a significant achievement — would not have happened without United States leadership. President Trump deserves a lot of credit for bringing the parties together.”

Former Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan: “I give credit to President Trump. I give credit to Witkoff and Kushner and Rubio. These are hard jobs… and to get to something like today takes a village, and it takes determination and really hard work.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley: “After two long years, we can finally breathe a sigh of relief. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. God Bless Israel. God Bless the United States. Congratulations to President Trump and his team for paving the way to peace.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew: “I’m trying to be very, very fair in giving praise where praise is due. I think without President Trump, this wouldn’t have happened. It may be through a style that is uncomfortable to many of us, but nonetheless, it’s due to his personal involvement, and I hope he continues to remain involved in a way that keeps this process moving forward — because I think it’s necessary.”

Former National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk: “It’s extraordinary day… I don’t think this deal could have come together without what’s happened over the last, really, the last ten months. The war in Iran — 12 Day War in Iran in June — was a strategic balance of power shifter in the region… There’s nothing like U.S. presidential leadership, and we saw that today. There’s a reason to be hopeful today.”

Former National Security Council Chief of Staff Fred Fleitz: “This gives Trump enormous leverage to solve other major conflicts. He’s now proven himself as an effective arbiter and peacemaker.”

Center for Strategic and International Studies Middle East Program Director Mona Yacoubian: “The President does deserve to take a victory lap considering what has been accomplished today — the release of the last 20 remaining hostages who were alive are alive in Gaza, the cessation of hostilities for now, the flowing in of much needed assistance into Gaza. These are important milestones.”

Middle East Institute Senior Fellow Paul Salem: “The return of these hostages and prisoners for their families and loved ones is a tremendous achievement. I think President Trump deserves a lot of credit for that, as well as the Arab mediators that put a lot of pressure on Hamas.”

The Washington Post columnist David Ignatius: “I can remember in the month or so after Oct. 7, an Israeli senior official saying to me, ‘We are so disoriented and traumatized by this war, the United States is going to have to make decisions for us.’ Joe Biden could never do that, and Donald Trump was able to do it — did it at the decisive moment.”

Ignatius: “So this is, as I said, a joyous day. Trump’s right to take credit for having gotten the world, Israel and Hamas, to this point.”

Batya Ungar-Sargon: “President Donald Trump has performed nothing short of a miracle by halting the war in Gaza and securing the release of 20 precious souls who had been languishing in Hamas captivity since Oct. 7.”

Presidential Historian Joe Meacham: “We should make no mistake about this: This is a victory for President Trump and for those who wish that we can govern ourselves at home, and around the world, not simply by brute force, but by ideas and civilized norms.”

Presidential Historian Mark Updegrove: “This is a big breakthrough for Donald Trump. This is a this is an important step forward.”

Rachael Bade: “Quite the achievement from President Trump. No doubt. The wall to wall coverage, and now videos of the hostages being reunited w/ their families, is incredibly moving. A nightmare for these folks, finally over.”

CNN Panelist Scott Jennings: “As an American, my heart couldn’t be more full. The United States of America today in its President, Donald Trump, is at the forefront of the most important thing going on in this world — the release of these hostages and the possibility of a standing peace in the Middle East, where there simply just hasn’t been any. And so as an American, the fact that we’re leading this effort, that we’re leading this coalition, that the President was able to bring the Arab states together, to get Netanyahu and that relationship they have, in line enough to pull this off — I mean, it makes my heart so full that this is the power of the United States of America.”

Patrick Bet-David: “[President Trump] got it done… This is a monumental moment for the world.”

Rachel Campos-Duffy: “It’s Donald Trump who’s the peacemaker — and he’s doing it, as he said, through strength. But it’s not just strength; it’s about a real estate guy who knows, as you guys just mentioned, human nature, knows how to make a deal, knows how to use relationships to make those deals.”

General Jack Keane (Ret.): [Our adversaries] see “the strength of the United States and see the United States’ indispensable leadership on the world stage — something that they’re trying to depose — and President Trump has strengthened it right in front of their eyes.”

K.T. McFarland: “Only Donald J. Trump could have done this. His dogged determination, endless energy and willingness to turn conventional wisdom on its head made the difference. Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis (Ret.): “I, for one, was very happy to hear Mr. Witkoff — who gets, I think, a ton of credit — alongside the President and Jared Kushner for a wonderful day today.”

Legal Scholar Alan Dershowitz: “President Trump’s brilliant diplomacy has resulted in freeing the hostages and implementing a cease-fire. If the truce persists, it will be a great accomplishment and an important step toward peace — if only a cold peace — in the region. It might also provide a stepping stone to a more enduring and somewhat warmer peace. Mr. Trump deserves enormous credit for his role in putting together a coalition of Arab and Muslim states and in pressuring both sides to accept what they each understandably regard as compromises.”

Republican Jewish Coalition: “An historic address for the ages, cementing @POTUS Donald J. Trump’s enduring legacy as the most pro-Israel President in U.S. history, and as the Peacemaker President. God bless America, God bless Israel, and God bless the U.S.-Israel alliance.”

Heritage Foundation: “President Trump and his administration have brought new hope for lasting peace in the Middle East and for Israel.”

Leaders from across the world also praised the historic achievement:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the state of Israel has ever had in the White House. No American President has ever done more for Israel and as I said in Washington, it ain’t even close. It’s really not a match. Mr. President, today, we welcome you here to thank you for your pivotal leadership in putting forward a proposal that got the backing of almost the entire world — a proposal that brings all our hostages home. A proposal that ends the war by achieving all our objectives. A proposal that opens the door to an historic expansion of peace in our region and beyond our region. Mr. President, you are committed to this peace, I am committed to this peace, and together, Mr. President, we will achieve this peace. We’ve done it before. We’ve done it before in the Abraham Accords. And we’ll do it again.”

Israeli Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid: “Mr. President, you have saved the lives of our hostages — but you have saved so much more… This is an historic moment and the reminder that history is shaped by people — it is shaped by those who know the past, but have the vision to change the future. When you were elected you declared that you will be the President of peace. You have kept your word… You, Mr. President, have done the unimagineable. We will be eternally grateful.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog: “The Israeli people welcome you with so much love and so much gratitude! Thank you for all you have done to bring our hostages home! Thank you for your commitment to building a better future of peace in our region! God bless Israel! God bless America!”

Israeli Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana: “Mr. President, you stand before the people of Israel not as another American President, but as a giant of Jewish history — one for whom we must look back two-and-a-half millennia, into the midst of time, to find a parallel: Cyrus the Great. You, President Donald J. Trump, are a colossus who will be enshrined into the pantheon of history. Thousands of years from now, Mr. President, the Jewish people will remember you.”

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter: “A day history was made. Our hostages were freed from the Hamas dungeons and In the Knesset, @POTUS Trump delivered a message that echoed in every heart: ‘I love Israel. I’m with you all the way. God bless you. God bless the United States of America, and God bless the Middle East.’ Thank you, Mr. President, for your unshakeable friendship and your historic leadership in this defining moment. Israel loves you back”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “The first phase of today’s historic peace plan has been signed, opening a new chapter for Israelis, Palestinians, and the world. Canada commends the leadership of President Trump, and leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye for enabling this step toward a just and lasting peace.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi: “On behalf of all Egyptians and peace lovers around the world, we salute with appreciation and respect for this unprecedented and momentous accomplishment. I’ve been very confident that [President Trump] is the only one that is capable of bringing this about and bringing an end to this war.”

European Council President Antonio Costa: “The Sharm El-Sheikh Summit marks an important step in the path towards peace in Gaza — and a brighter future for Palestinians and Israelis. In our meeting today, together with the international community, I reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to turn this plan into a lasting success.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “We welcome the release of all the hostages after more than two years of captivity. Their freedom is a testament to the courage of their families, to President Trump’s uncompromising efforts for peace, and to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s determination. We support President Trump’s sincere efforts to bring peace to the region.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “Today is a historic day. The hostages have been released: an extraordinary result, the fruit of the determination of international diplomacy and the implementation of the first part of the Peace Plan of American President Donald Trump.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “A new phase of peace and cooperation begins. I would like to thank all participants of the conference — especially Egyptian President el-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump — for their initiative and commitment. This achievement is the result of many efforts.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: “Peace has been achieved after untiring efforts — efforts led by President Trump, who is genuinely a man of peace, who has relentlessly and untiringly worked throughout these months, day in and day out, to make this world a place to live with peace and prosperity… Mr. President, I would like to salute you for your exemplary leadership — visionary leadership — and I think that you’re the man this world needed most at this point in time.”

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez: “Today is a day for hope. Spain thanks the efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey in making this possible. A true and lasting peace cannot be built only on the silence of cannons, but on the voices of justice and humanity.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “I hope that the quadruple declaration we signed together with the President of the United States, Mr. Trump, the President of Egypt, Mr. Es-Sisi, and the Emir of Qatar, Mr. Sheikh Tamim, will be a new milestone on the path to lasting peace in our region.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “When peace is achieved for one part of the world, it brings more hope for peace in other regions where life is still under threat. In Ukraine, we welcome all the efforts that have led to today’s outcome for the Middle East. The hostages have been freed, and the war in Gaza is coming to an end. This is truly an extraordinary event. The leadership and determination of President Trump @POTUS have worked, and it is important that all the necessary help has come from countries and many people who have real influence. We are working so that the day of peace comes for Ukraine as well. Russian aggression remains the last global source of destabilization, and if a ceasefire and peace have been achieved for the Middle East, the leadership and determination of global actors can certainly work for us too, in Ukraine, in Europe. And it can be done. Terror always loses when global unity is strong enough. I thank everyone who contributes to peace!”

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “President Trump, this is your achievement. I thank you for your tireless efforts to deliver this moment. The UK stands ready to support a full implementation of the peace plan.”

ASEAN Foreign Ministers: “We welcome the agreement reached between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel on the first phase of the US President Donald J. Trump’s ‘Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict’ announced in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on 8 October 2025 with a view to achieving a permanent end of hostilities. We commend President Trump for his continued leadership and sustained efforts to end the war in Gaza. We further appreciate the important role and collective efforts of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Türkiye, as well as other partners in facilitating the mediation and implementation of the comprehensive plan. We acknowledge that this development marks a crucial step towards ending the conflict.”

President Trump’s announcement of the historic Gaza Peace Deal last week also drew widespread praise:

ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz: “There’s no question that if this goes as planned, if we see those remaining hostages freed and Israel begin its withdraw, it is a remarkable achievement and President Trump most certainly deserves credit for his role. He has done this through diplomacy, pressure, and the sheer force of his personality and persistence.”

ABC News White House Correspondent Selina Wang: “This is an enormous moment for the world, but also for this Administration — a BIG win for the President, who has been very personally involved in this.”

ABC Chief Foreign Correspondent Ian Pannell: “Make no mistake: it looks like President Trump has actually pulled off something here that many presidents before him have failed to do.”

CNN Jerusalem Correspondent Jeremy Diamond: “I just need to underscore what an enormous moment this is for so many people in this region — for the people of Gaza who have endured two years of war, for the families of these 48 remaining hostages who have endured two years of absolute agony. This is a watershed moment.”

CNN’s Abby Phillip: “Honestly, it’s not unfair to say, if President Obama is going to write a whole post about a peace deal, maybe he should acknowledge the president who brokered it.”

Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham: “Donald Trump the peacemaker strikes again.”

NBC News White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor: “This is a major accomplishment for President Trump… Of course, not just a victory for President Trump, but really a number of Arab nations… This is really huge news.”

Chris Cillizza: “If you can’t give Donald Trump credit for what he did on Hamas and Israel, you are a totally blind partisan.”

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “It’s a really significant first step and I really commend President Trump and his administration.”

Former National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk: “A momentous day… this is GREAT NEWS. I am trying to hold it together, honestly. I’ve worked on this issue a very long time.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong: “Australia welcomes President Trump’s announcement that Israel and Hamas have signed off the first phase of the plan to bring peace to Gaza. After more than two years of conflict, hostages held and a devastating loss of civilian life, this is a much needed step towards peace. Australia has consistently been part of international calls for a ceasefire, return of the hostages, and the unimpeded flow of aid to Gaza. We urge all parties to respect the terms of the plan. We thank President Trump for his diplomatic efforts and acknowledge the important role of Egypt, Qatar and Turkiye in delivering this agreement.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Congratulations to President Trump for his essential leadership and thank you to Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye for their tireless work to support the negotiations. I am relieved that the hostages will soon be reunited with their families. After years of intense suffering, peace finally feels attainable. Canada calls on all parties to swiftly implement all agreed terms and to work towards a just and lasting peace.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun: “China hopes that a full and permanent ceasefire in Gaza will be realized as early as possible, the humanitarian crisis will be effectively eased, and tensions in the region will be diffused.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: “The world is witnessing a historic moment that embodies the triumph of the will for peace over the logic of war. From Sharm El-Sheikh — the city of peace and the cradle of dialogue and understanding — an agreement is reached to establish a ceasefire and end the war in Gaza after two years of suffering and woes, in accordance with the peace plan proposed by President Trump and under the auspices of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States of America. This agreement does not only close the chapter of war; it also opens the door of hope for the peoples of the region for a future defined by justice and stability.”

French President Emmanuel Macron: “Great hope for the hostages and their families, for the Palestinians in Gaza, and for the entire region. I welcome the agreement reached overnight for the release of the hostages and the ceasefire in Gaza, and I commend the efforts of President @realDonaldTrump, as well as the Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators who helped make it happen. I call on all parties to strictly uphold its terms. This agreement must mark the end of the war and the beginning of a political solution based on the two-state solution. France stands ready to contribute to this goal. We will discuss it this afternoon in Paris with our international partners.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “The first steps of the agreement between Israel and Hamas are encouraging. They offer new hope – for the hostages and their families, for the people in Gaza, and for the entire region. For the first time in a long while, there is a real prospect of peace in the region. We call on all parties to keep their promises, end the war, and pave the way for lasting peace. Germany will continue to firmly support this process.”

Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi: “The mediators announce that tonight an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid… Genuine peace begins with dialogue that puts human dignity first. The new phase of the agreement offers hope for lasting calm in Gaza and highlights the power of joint mediation grounded in reason, not escalation.”

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez: “The Government of Spain welcomes the news coming from the Middle East and trusts that this may be the beginning of a just and lasting peace. Now is the time to engage in dialogue, assist the civilian population, and look to the future. With hope. But also with justice and with memory. So that the atrocities experienced are never repeated again.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “I am greatly pleased that the Hamas-Israel negotiations, conducted in Sharm El-Sheikh with contributions from Türkiye, have resulted in a ceasefire in Gaza. I extend my special thanks to U.S. President Mr. Trump, who demonstrated the necessary political will to encourage the Israeli government toward the ceasefire, as well as to our brotherly countries Qatar and Egypt, which provided significant support in reaching the agreement.”

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer: “I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years. I am grateful for the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the United States, supported by our regional partners, in securing this crucial first step. This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza. We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by @POTUS. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt & Türkiye in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough. I urge all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement. All hostages must be released in a dignified manner. A permanent ceasefire must be secured. The fighting must stop once & for all. Immediate & unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies & essential commercial materials into Gaza must be ensured. The suffering must end. The @UN will support the full implementation of the agreement & will scale up the delivery of sustained & principled humanitarian relief, and we will advance recovery & reconstruction efforts in Gaza.”

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Widespread Acclaim for President Trump’s Diplomatic Triumph

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