Hostages Return Home – Initial Peace Deal Israel, Hamas – Gaza Ceasefire In Effect: Local Politicians Weigh In: UPDATED

Editor’s note: As far as the Nobel Peace Prize, for 2025 he was nominated for but not given the award.  However, since the peace deal should last until January, the deadline for nominations is January 31st for 2026, and there are special extensions by order of their board at the meeting on the 28th of February.  So the hard nomination due date would be February 28th.  

In addition, from the website of the Nobel Peace Prize: The Nobel Committee does not confirm the names of nominees, neither to the media nor to the candidates themselves. There are cases where names of candidates appear in the media, either as a result of sheer speculation or because individuals themselves report to have nominated specific candidates.

The list of nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize is released 50 years after the prize is awarded, in accordance with the statues of the Nobel Foundation.

We also covered calls for peace after the attacks first occurred. Senator Sanders called for an end to the war in Gaza after the first year. We also covered the need for humanitarian aid in Gaza as the war raged on.

Below are statements following the release of the remaining living hostages: 

Malliotakis Statement on Hostage Release & Trump Peace Deal

(NEW YORK, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) released the following statement:

“Today is an historic day as all remaining living hostages are released by Hamas after a long two years. President Trump’s peace deal is underway and later today he will gather the leaders of the most powerful countries in the world to meet in Egypt to discuss next steps for regional peace. In his first term, President Trump was the architect of the historic Abraham Accords. Now, once again, he’s bringing peaceful solutions to the Middle East and elsewhere. This term, he’s helped broker peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cambodia and Thailand, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India and Pakistan, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Serbia and Kosovo. President Trump is a real dealmaker and leader with the strength, power and chutzpah to deliver lasting peace.”

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES

Washington, DC – Today, following the release of 20 Israeli hostages, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

“I am filled with relief and joy seeing 20 hostages rejoin their families after two long years of anguish and I pray for their healing. While we celebrate their freedom, I hold in my heart the 28 families who still await the return of the remains of their loved ones.”

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after all remaining living hostages in Gaza were returned home to Israel:  

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Curtis Sliwa Hails Hostages Reuniting with Families After Two-Year Ordeal

Says Peace Agreement Brings Hope and Renewal

NEW YORK — NYC Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa issued the following statement Monday regarding the release of hostages:

“After two long years, all the living hostages are now safely home. A massive weight has been lifted from their families’ shoulders. Peace is always the ultimate goal, and finally, an end to the war is something we all should celebrate.The 20 surviving hostages are reunited by families and loved ones after 738 agonizing days in captivity. 7+3+8 = 18, means Chai, which means “life” in Judaism. A number that embodies life, hope, and blessing. We pray that these hostages coming home can recover, and live peacefully again. We are proud of the President and all involved for making this peace deal happen.”

Below are the statements from local politicians after the peace deal was reached last week: 

GILLIBRAND STATEMENT ON INITIAL PEACE DEAL BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement regarding Israel and Hamas’ agreement on the first phase of a peace deal:

“I am encouraged that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a peace deal to release the remaining hostages held captive in Gaza and finally bring an end to this heartbreaking war that Hamas began when it brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

I have made it my mission since October 7 to secure the release of the hostages, and I am more hopeful than ever that they will soon be returned to their families. This is also the best approach to surging resources and food into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Palestinian families. Now, we can turn to our Arab partners to help with the long and important work of rebuilding Gaza, working toward a two-state solution, and establishing an enduring security and economic alliance in the Middle East.”