(The Center Square) — New York’s top political leaders are praising the Trump administration for brokering a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending more than two years of conflict.
Under the peace deal, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire built on President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza that includes the release of 20 Israeli captives and more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The deal, which went into effect Monday, followed three days of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel in Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
In New York, which has one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, the state’s political leaders praised the ceasefire deal and the Trump administration for brokering an end to the hostilities.
“After two years of immense suffering and loss, the Israeli hostages have finally returned home,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday in a statement. “I join their families in celebrating this long-awaited homecoming and pray they find peace and comfort in the days ahead.”
Hochul, a Democrat, praised “the administration” for working to secure the ceasefire deal and the hostages’ release but didn’t mention Trump by name in the statement.
“With their return and a permanent ceasefire, I’m hopeful that vital aid will soon reach families suffering in Gaza and that today marks the beginning of a new chapter of lasting peace and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Hochul added.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, called the ceasefire an “extremely welcome development” and said he welcomes “freeing the remaining hostages and bringing an end to years of pain, suffering and destruction.
“The world will be a better place with a safe and secure Israel living side by side in peace and prosperity with the Palestinian people able to achieve the dignity and self-determination they deserve. We must all recommit to achieve that outcome,” he posted on social media.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the ceasefire “brings a huge sigh of relief to the hostage families, to all of Israel, and to Palestinians who have suffered for so long in this horrific humanitarian catastrophe.”
“The work is not over, but any step to end this nightmare is one that should be celebrated and carefully implemented and followed through on,” he said in a statement.
New York Republicans also praised the agreement and Trump’s negotiating team for making the peace deal happen, with some calling out Democrats for their lukewarm praise of the president’s involvement.
“The release of every living hostage is a testament to the power of strength, unity, and diplomacy rooted in moral clarity President Trump and his team — Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Marco Rubio — once again proved that peace through strength works,” U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican, said in a statement. “And by working alongside our greatest ally, Israel, and our Arab partners, we have achieved what many thought impossible.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is considering a run for governor next year, also praised Trump for brokering the “historic” peace deal but criticized Hochul and other Democrats for “disingenuous” comments about the settlement for not mentioning Trump’s involvement in the agreement. She also blasted Hochul’s endorsement of New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who has criticized Israel’s war against Hamas.
“Not only does she egregiously and purposefully fail to acknowledge President Trump’s leadership in bringing the hostages home, Hochul endorses the Antisemite Jihadist who has praised Hamas terrorists,” Stefanik posted Monday on social media. “Truly the Worst Governor in America is @KathyHochul.”
Israel’s offensive in Gaza began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and wounded almost 170,000, according to a tally from Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. It has also displaced 2 million people, the group says.
