Sen. Tom Cotton Commends Trump’s Leadership in Middle East Peace Efforts
Following the release of 20 living Israeli hostages by Hamas terrorists, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) reaffirmed America’s commitment to its allies and praised the decisive diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump.
“I join all Arkansans in rejoicing at the release of twenty living hostages from Gaza,” Cotton said in a statement Monday. “I commend President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu for this monumental achievement. We will not forget the deceased hostages, and we will endeavor to secure the return of their remains so their families may lay them to rest properly. And we will never again allow Hamas to threaten the United States and our friends.”
The exchange marks a key moment in ending two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. In return for the hostages, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire, a move that highlights the complexity and necessity of strong, results-driven negotiations.
The horrors of October 7, 2023, when Hamas murdered 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 250, remain fresh in the minds of victims’ families and the international community. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, noted that Hamas’ partial release of four deceased hostages fell short of its obligations under the agreement. “Hamas’ announcement of the expected return of four bodies today constitutes a failure to meet its commitments,” Katz said, emphasizing that all hostages—living and deceased—must be returned promptly.
President Trump, speaking in Sharm el-Sheikh alongside Egypt’s president, described the ongoing recovery of deceased hostages as a “gruesome task” but praised the structured approach under the peace plan. “They know where numbers are. I guess five or six are in now. They know the areas. They’re going to be finding quite a few of them,” he said, highlighting the methodical progress toward fulfilling the agreement.
Conservative leaders, including Cotton, view this development as evidence that strong, principled U.S. leadership in the Middle East pays dividends. By working directly with key regional partners and insisting on accountability from Hamas, the Trump administration’s approach ensured that hostages were returned safely while simultaneously reinforcing U.S. and Israeli security interests.
This milestone underscores the importance of decisive action over prolonged negotiation delays, showing that the United States can protect its allies, punish hostile actors, and achieve tangible results without compromising American principles or interests.
