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Dear A.,
What a remarkable day!
More stories are emerging of the heroic strength and resilience of the Israeli hostages who confronted 738 days in hell.
The Berman twins, Gali and Ziv, were reunited after being held captive apart from each other.
Elkana Bohbot was kept shackled underground in darkness and is suffering from severe pain after being overfed by Hamas in the days leading up to his release, which Israeli medical professionals said could have been fatal after his prolonged starvation.
Avinatan Or was held in isolation for two years and lost 40% of his body weight in captivity.
The videos of the hostages and their families reuniting show the love, joy and powerful excitement of dreams being realized.
Today was a day the people of Israel and its supporters around the world will never forget.
The miracles unfolding before our eyes were made possible by three important factors:
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The strength and resilience of the people of Israel and the IDF;
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American support for Israel throughout this war;
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The unprecedented support President Trump has shown for Israel, and the actions his team took to embrace our ally and help broker this historic peace.Today's achievement is a clear validation of AIPAC's philosophy: When America works together with Israel, both nations are stronger, and peace is possible.
The joy from today is also met with deep pain, as Hamas has only freed four of the 28 murdered hostages. The IDF has yet to announce the identity of those first four individuals. American and world leaders must act to ensure the peace deal is fully implemented, including freeing all the hostages, Hamas disarming and leaving power, and the deradicalization of the Gaza Strip.
Included below are some of the hundreds of congressional statements made today about the hostage release, a 5-minute highlight video of President Trump’s speech to the Knesset this morning along with quotes from Israeli leaders, and a recap of the president’s trip to Egypt this afternoon.
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If you haven't already, you can click here to read AIPAC's email from earlier today, which includes the powerful photos and videos of the hostages being reunited with their families after 738 days.
Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Jake Braunstein
Director of Policy Communications
Congressional leaders welcome release of hostages
Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress celebrated today’s hostage release.
House Speaker Mike Johnson
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said :
"For the first time in 738 days, there are no living Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas. In just eight and half months in office, President Trump and his Administration have ensured the safe release and return of all 20 living Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity, putting lasting peace in the Middle East within reach.
"This is a day of profound hope and joy for the entire free world, and a day only possible under the leadership, strength, and fortitude of President Trump."
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
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said :
"Thankful that all 20 living Israeli hostages are home with their loved ones.
"And that humanitarian assistance is being surged into Gaza for Palestinian civilians.
"We must now recommit to achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.
"Nothing less than that is acceptable."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
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said :
"After 738 days, I’m incredibly thankful that the remaining hostages held by Hamas are returning home. We continue to pray for them and their families as they are reunited.
"Thank you to President Trump for delivering peace through strength in a time when it was needed most."
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
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said :
"Today is a wonderful day. Finally, finally, finally, the last living hostages brutally held by Hamas are home, an immense and overwhelming sigh of relief.
"I commend the enormous advocacy of the tireless hostage families, President Trump, his administration, and all who helped make this moment happen.
"Today, we celebrate the return of the hostages—the joyous images of their reuniting with their families— and we solemnly reaffirm our commitment to bringing home all the deceased hostages, including my constituents Omer Neutra and Itay Chen."
You can watch a video compilation of the hostages being reunited with their families here:
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Netanyahu, Lapid address Knesset before Trump's speech
Both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid addressed the Israeli Knesset before President Trump spoke today, highlighting the unity of the Israeli people in the Jewish state’s war to free the hostages and defeat Hamas, and support for the president’s peace plan.
Netanyahu
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said :
"Donald Trump is the greatest friend that the State of Israel has ever had in the White House. No American president has ever done more for Israel… Thank you for your pivotal leadership in putting forward a proposal that got the backing of almost the entire world… that brings all our hostages home. A proposal that ends the war by achieving all our objectives."
Lapid
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said :
"Mr. President, you have saved the lives of our hostages. But you saved so much more. You have saved the souls of the bereaved whose loved ones now will be brought home for burial, you have saved thousands of soldiers who will not fall in battle, and you have saved millions from the horrors of war. You have saved far more than one life, and each life is an entire world."
You can watch a 5-minute summary of President Trump's speech at the Israeli Knesset here:
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Trump signs peace agreement in Egypt
Following the release of the hostages and his speech to the Knesset, President Trump traveled to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to formally sign the Gaza peace plan.
In Egypt, President Trump met with Egyptian President Fattah El-Sisi, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Eroğan and Qatari Emir Tamim Al-Thani. Turkey and Qatar have long been key sponsors of Hamas.
After the signing ceremony, President Trump
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said , "The momentous breakthrough that we're here to celebrate tonight is more than the end of the war in Gaza—with God’s help, it will be a new beginning for an entire, beautiful, Middle East... we can build a region that's strong, and stable, and prosperous, and united in rejecting the path of terror once and for all."
AIPAC thanks President Trump and his negotiating team for work they did to make this deal possible. Now the world must ensure that Hamas complies with this deal by handing over the remaining murdered hostage bodies, disarming and surrendering power.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to attend the
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event in Egypt but could not because of Simchat Torah.
President Trump holding the signed peace agreement
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The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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