Democrats praise Trump, his administration for Israel-Hamas ceasefire breakthrough

In a political climate defined by deep partisan polarization, the historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has prompted an unexpected response from some prominent Democrats: kudos for President Trump.

The accolades followed the successful negotiation of a sweeping 20-point peace plan that secured a ceasefire, outlined the release of hostages and proposed a framework for rebuilding Gaza. The plan, hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough, has drawn cautious optimism across the political spectrum.

Sen. Mark Kelly, Arizona Democrat, called the agreement a “big deal,” acknowledging that Mr. Trump helped to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu to buy in.

“I think it’s fair to give him credit for this,” Mr. Kelly said of Mr. Trump on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “This so far looks like a possibility of success.”

“If it does hold over the long term,” he added, “yeah, think that you could say his relationship with Bibi was part of this.”

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a staunch pro-Israel Democrat, was even more emphatic, saying he was feeling “absolute elation.”

“How can’t we all celebrate this thing?” Mr.  Fetterman said. “This is a huge development, and this terrible, awful war is going to come to an end.”

He added, “It’s a strange time if you can’t celebrate this.”

Others offered more measured responses.

Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut Democrat, did not mention Mr. Trump by name, but credited the administration’s negotiators.

“It’s important that these hostages are coming home, and I congratulate the negotiators on getting this done,” Mr. Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on “Face the Nation.” “There’s no politics about this moment, as you’re going to see some very tearful reunions tomorrow, hopefully as these hostages are released.”

Mr. Murphy also criticized Mr. Netanyahu, accusing the Israeli leader of prolonging the “heartbreaking” conflict for political gain.

Mr. Trump on Sunday was slated to travel to Israel and Egypt to mark the occasion. The president planned to meet early Monday with the families of the hostages and then deliver remarks to the Knesset before traveling to Egypt to participate in a Middle East peace ceremony.

The landmark agreement calls for the militant group Hamas to release the 48 remaining hostages taken during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. In return, Israel has agreed to withdraw military forces from parts of the Gaza Strip and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli hostages are expected to be transported to a military base for reunification with their families, and, if necessary, be taken to a hospital for medical evaluations.

“Knock on wood, but we feel very confident the hostages will be released, and that the President is actually traveling to the Middle East, likely this evening, in order to meet them and greet them in person,” Vice President J.D. Vance said Sunday on “Face the Nation.” “It’s a big day for their families, but I think more importantly, it’s a big day for the entire world. “

Over the weekend, the deal continued to hold.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians returned home, while Israelis awaited the release of their loved ones.

“To the hostages themselves, our brothers and sisters, you are coming home,” U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, flanked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, the president’s son-in-law and daughter, said at a rally in Tel Aviv over the weekend.

The breakthrough has won Mr. Trump praise from some old foes, perhaps most notably former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom he defeated in the 2016 presidential race.

“It is a really significant first step,” Mrs. Clinton said Friday on CBS News. “I really commend President Trump and his administration, as well as Arab leaders in the region, for making the commitment to the 20-point plan and seeing a path forward for what is often called ‘the day after.’”

The cautious optimism was somewhat offset by lingering concerns about where things are headed.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said he hopes the deal yields “lasting peace,” but challenges remain.

“The perfect storm for peace brewing in the Mideast, but whether or not Hamas will disarm, whether or not there will be control of Gaza after the ceasefire that we can all live with is a very big question,” Mr. Graham said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I still don’t trust Hamas any further than I can throw them.”

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.