US reaction to Gaza ceasefire deal

16/1/2025 6:14

Negotiators reached a

phased ceasefire deal on Wednesday to end the war in Gaza

between Israel and Hamas, the U.S. and Qatar said, after 15

months of bloodshed that has inflamed the Middle East.



More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza,

health officials there say, following Israel's assault on the

enclave after Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7,

2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages,

according to Israeli tallies.



Here is reaction from U.S. political figures and others:







CHUCK SCHUMER, U.S. SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER



"It is welcome news that there is an agreement that will

free many of the hostages. A ceasefire is very good news for

Israel, for America, for the Palestinian people, and

particularly for the hostage families who have waited so long in

agony. A ceasefire will reduce violence in Gaza and harm to

innocent civilians. It couldn’t have happened without steadfast

diplomacy and until the potency of Hamas was radically reduced.

We will not rest until every hostage comes home."







SENATOR JOHN BARRASSO, NO. 2 SENATE REPUBLICAN



"It's welcome news. We're going to have to see how much is,

in fact, real. They're talking about a release of hostages. We

want to make sure every one of those hostages gets out,

certainly the American hostages. I think that the world is

seeing Donald Trump coming into power in the United States, and

we're seeing changes around the world to reflect a new strength

in America."







U.S. HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES



"For more than a year, since Hamas brutally attacked Israel

on October 7, Hamas terrorists have mercilessly held American

and Israeli hostages captive in Gaza. This long-overdue

agreement will secure the release of many of those hostages, set

the stage for others to come home, provide for Israel’s security

and ensure humanitarian assistance is surged to Palestinian

civilians who have been in harm’s way.



We will not rest until the remaining hostages return home

and lasting peace and security are realized for Israel, the

Palestinian people and the entire Middle East region."







U.S. SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS, INDEPENDENT



"This is welcome, long-overdue news. Both sides must honor

the deal and implement it as quickly as possible. The senseless

killing must stop. The hostages must be released. The United

Nations and other aid organizations must finally be allowed

unfettered access to all areas of the Gaza Strip in order to

provide the massive amounts of humanitarian aid that is

desperately needed. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people are

struggling to survive, lacking food, water, and medical care in

the middle of winter. Innocent lives hang in the balance."







U.S. REPRESENTATIVE CLAUDIA TENNEY, REPUBLICAN



"After Biden's repeated failure to free the Israeli &

American hostages being held by Hamas, President Trump has

already negotiated a deal to release the hostages, & he hasn't

even been sworn in yet. The world is a safer place with

President Trump as America's Leader."







OSAMAH KAHLIL, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY HISTORY PROFESSOR



"The same terms that were agreed to by Hamas and Israel were

available at least eight months ago and likely a similar deal

could have been achieved late last year...Instead, the Biden

administration’s vociferous support for Israel’s 15-month

military campaign has had a profound impact on America’s

standing in the world and President Biden’s reputation as he

leaves office."