President Donald Trump's announcement of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas has sparked widespread reaction, including a notable silence from a former Democratic leader.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Trump revealed on Wednesday that both parties signed off on the initial phase of an agreement to end the two-year conflict in Gaza, a move that has drawn praise from several Democratic lawmakers while former President Barack Obama conspicuously avoided mentioning Trump in his response to the historic accord.
This deal, finalized by Thursday, includes the release of around 20 living hostages by Hamas in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, alongside an Israeli military withdrawal from much of Gaza.
In a social media post, Obama expressed relief that "an end to the conflict is within sight," yet failed to credit Trump for brokering the agreement. This omission stands out as a deliberate snub, especially given the scale of the achievement in a region long mired in violence.
Trump’s son, Don Jr., didn’t let it slide, quipping online, "I'll finish it for you. 'Thank you, Donald Trump,'" highlighting the pettiness of sidestepping a leader who just pulled off what many deemed impossible.
While personal grudges may linger, the reality is that results matter more than hurt feelings, and this deal marks a tangible step toward stability that deserves acknowledgment over partisan games.
Several prominent Democrats, however, set aside party lines to commend the effort, with Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware calling it "a moment for optimism" and celebrating the potential return of hostages to their families. His words reflect a rare bipartisan nod to a policy outcome that could reunite 20 families with their loved ones as early as Monday or Tuesday.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia echoed this sentiment, stating he is "very pleased" with the deal and applauding Trump and his team for reaching this critical step. Even Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania went as far as suggesting he’d nominate Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize if further conflicts like Ukraine’s are resolved, showing a willingness to prioritize peace over politics.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois also voiced hope, saying he’s "very heartened by it" and wishes for a swift end to the Gaza conflict. These reactions signal that not all in the Democratic camp are blinded by rivalry when lives are at stake.
Trump’s announcement on Wednesday evening confirmed the first phase of the agreement, with Hamas set to release hostages this weekend and Israel preparing to vote on the deal through its security cabinet. By Thursday, he declared it "all finalized and done," even planning a trip to Israel next week to personally welcome the hostages home.
The exchange involves Hamas freeing 20 survivors while Israel releases about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a compromise that also sees Israeli forces pulling back from most of Gaza. This isn’t a perfect fix, but it’s a start, cutting through years of deadlock with hard-nosed negotiation rather than endless posturing.
Hamas itself thanked Trump and mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for facilitating an outcome that includes aid entry and prisoner swaps alongside troop withdrawal. When even adversaries give credit, it’s a sign the deal carries weight beyond mere optics.
Trump didn’t shy away from jabbing at Obama’s legacy, noting in the Oval Office that his predecessor won a Nobel Peace Prize for "doing nothing" while he’s stopped eight wars without chasing awards. His bluntness, saying, "I didn’t do it for [the Nobel Peace Prize], I did it because I saved a lot of lives," cuts against the grain of polished political speak, focusing on action over accolades.
Former Rep. Dan Goldman, who once pushed to impeach Trump, admitted on CNN that Biden struggled because Arab nations like Qatar and Turkey failed to pressure Hamas, a dynamic Trump evidently shifted. This admission stings, underlining how leadership, not just rhetoric, can alter entrenched conflicts.
As Trump defers on issues like a two-state solution, telling reporters, "I’m going to go with what they agree to," his approach remains grounded in letting locals chart the path. For once, the focus isn’t on imposing grand visions but on brokering real, if imperfect, progress—something Washington’s ideologues might ponder as this deal unfolds.