Joe Biden lauded US President Donald Trump after Hamas released the 20 living hostages that it had held captive in Gaza since Oct 7, 2023. In a statement, he expressed his deep gratitude and relief that hostages, who were released in two stages by the Palestinian militant group, had finally reunited with their families and loved ones. He noted that the "road to the deal was not easy" and commended Trump and his administration for their efforts to "get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line." "I am deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come – for the last living 20 hostages who have been through unimaginable hell and are finally reunited with their families and loved ones, and for the civilians in Gaza who have experienced immeasurable loss and will finally get the chance to rebuild their lives," the former US president said in a post on X. I am deeply grateful and relieved that this day has come – for the last living 20 hostages who have been through unimaginable hell and are finally reunited with their families and loved ones, and for the civilians in Gaza who have experienced immeasurable loss and will finally… — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 13, 2025 "The road to this deal was not easy. My Administration worked relentlessly to bring hostages home, get relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war. I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line. Now, with the backing of the United States and the world, the Middle East is on a path to peace that I hope endures and a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety," he added. Bill Clinton welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire Former US President Bill Clinton also welcomed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement and called the move a necessary step toward lasting peace in the region. "The horrors of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and the conflict they reignited, have resulted in unbearable human loss. It has been hard to watch and nearly impossible to rationalize," Clinton said in a post on X. My statement on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas: pic.twitter.com/lN0xQxGHfT — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) October 13, 2025 He further commended Trump and his administration for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached. "I'm grateful that a ceasefire has taken hold, that the last 20 living hostages have been freed, and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza. President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached," he said. "Now Israel and Hamas-with the support of the United States, the region, and the world-must try to turn this fragile moment into lasting peace that provides for the dignity and security of both Palestinians and Israelis," Clinton added. 'He's telling the truth,' Trump on Clinton's acknowledgement Responding to Clinton's acknowledgement of Trump's role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire deal, the US president said, "I thought it was very nice, actually. And what is he doing? He's telling the truth." He further reflected on his ties with Clinton, stating, "I've always gotten along with him. He used to be a friend of mine, came to my wedding, you know, so did she," in reference to former first lady and his 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. "People don't know that, but I've always liked him," he added. Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday signed the Gaza ceasefire deal document, aimed at restoring peace in the Middle East after two years of bloody war. The document was signed during the international summit hosted by Egypt in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on the same day Hamas released all twenty living hostages as part of its first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
