After two long years, the last 20 living hostages held by the evil and savage Hamas terrorists are finally home. While most of the 251 hostages were released in 2023 and 2024 and some earlier this year, the release of these 20 hostages yesterday was a momentous occasion, and we should all be grateful that this nightmare is hopefully over. Thank you to the President and everyone responsible for the release of these hostages.

We still await the return of the remains of the rest of the hostages, whose deaths these terrorists are responsible for. I’ve always said that peace can begin once all the hostages are released. I am relieved and encouraged that another ceasefire, hopefully the final one, is in place, and the killing will stop. If this agreement holds up, it could be a truly historic event. With the return of the now-former hostages and a ceasefire in place, yesterday was a great day. I remain concerned about reports that Hamas is killing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

I do find it disappointing, however, that so many in the anti-Israel “ceasefire now” crowd are strangely silent now that we reached a ceasefire. Perhaps this shows that their real goal was not, in fact, a ceasefire.

We’ve longed for peace for Israel and for the Middle East, but recognize that no matter who comes at Israel, Israel will live. Am Yisrael Chai!