In a moment that few could have predicted, the often-contentious world of American politics saw a rare display of bipartisan praise this week, as former Democratic presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton publicly commended President Donald Trump for his pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This dramatic turn comes after nearly two years of relentless violence in the Gaza Strip, a conflict that began in October 2023 and has exacted a devastating human toll on both sides.
On October 14, 2025, Biden took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude and relief over the breakthrough. "I commend President Trump and his team for their work to get a renewed ceasefire deal over the finish line," Biden wrote, emphasizing that the "road to this deal was not easy." He was quick to highlight his own administration’s relentless efforts to bring hostages home, provide relief to Palestinian civilians, and end the war. According to Axios, Biden stated, "Now, with the backing of the United States and the world, the Middle East is on a path to peace that I hope endures and a future for Israelis and Palestinians alike with equal measures of peace, dignity, and safety."
Clinton, for his part, echoed Biden’s sentiments, but his words carried particular weight given the years-long feud between the Clinton and Trump camps. In a statement posted to X, Clinton reflected on the "unbearable human loss" caused by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent months of violence. He wrote, "I’m grateful that a ceasefire has taken hold, that the last 20 hostages have been freed, and that desperately needed aid has begun to flow into Gaza." Clinton continued, "President Trump and his administration, Qatar, and other regional actors deserve great credit for keeping everyone engaged until the agreement was reached."
The ceasefire agreement, as reported by Fox News Digital, enabled the release of 20 living hostages who had endured brutal captivity under Hamas. Their return home marked a significant milestone in efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Simultaneously, humanitarian aid began flowing into Gaza, where civilians had faced severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities.
Clinton’s praise for Trump was not limited to the mechanics of the deal. He emphasized that this fragile moment must be seized as an opportunity for lasting peace. "With support from the U.S., the region, and the world, Israel and Hamas must try to turn this fragile moment into lasting peace that provides the dignity and security of both Palestinians and Israelis," Clinton urged. "I believe that they can get there, but only if they do it together." According to BBC, Clinton stressed that the ceasefire is only an initial step and that transforming it into enduring stability will require genuine commitment from all parties involved.
The ceasefire deal itself was a product of intense negotiations involving not only the United States but also Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan. Qatar’s role as mediator was particularly crucial, given its unique position as a nation with diplomatic channels to both Hamas and Western powers. The agreement included Israel’s release of more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners—a gesture designed to build confidence between the warring parties and one of the largest prisoner releases in recent memory, as noted by BBC.
President Trump, who has long touted his unconventional approach to Middle East diplomacy, recently addressed Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, urging that Israel had achieved all it could through military means and that it was time to pursue peace. According to Fox News Digital, after the deal’s announcement, Trump responded positively to Clinton’s praise, recalling their prior friendship and mutual respect. "He used to be a friend of mine, came to my wedding," Trump said, noting that Hillary Clinton was also in attendance.
Yet, the history between Trump and the Clintons has been anything but cordial. The feud began in earnest during the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump launched relentless attacks on Hillary Clinton, branding her with derogatory nicknames and questioning her integrity. The Clintons, in turn, argued that Trump’s presidency undermined democratic norms. Despite this backdrop, Clinton’s willingness to credit Trump for the ceasefire demonstrates that, at least on matters of global significance, political animosity can be set aside.
Hillary Clinton also weighed in, praising Trump for the breakthrough and indicating a willingness to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize if he succeeded in ending the war in Ukraine. "If President Trump were the architect of that, I’d nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize," she said during an interview, as reported by Fox News Digital.
Not all reactions were as direct. After the ceasefire announcement, former President Barack Obama expressed encouragement about the conflict’s end but did not mention Trump by name. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung, however, highlighted Trump’s role by reposting Obama’s message with the comment, "Say his name... PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP."
The ceasefire’s implementation has already brought tangible benefits, but as Clinton pointed out, the real challenge lies ahead. Transforming this pause in violence into a durable peace will require addressing the deeper issues fueling the conflict: questions of Palestinian statehood, Israeli security concerns, and the reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure. Clinton’s vision aligns with calls from numerous world leaders who view the ceasefire as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
Clinton has also previously expressed skepticism about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intentions regarding peace, urging all parties to avoid actions that would lead to further civilian casualties. "Choosing undeclared wars in which the primary victims are civilians, who are not politically involved, one way or the other, who just want to live decent lives, is not a very good solution," he stated. He conceded that the U.S. must try to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but stressed the need to protect innocent lives.
Days after Clinton’s statement, President Trump launched Operation Midnight Hammer, striking uranium sites in Iran with B-2 bombers and other jets—a move that further underscored the complex and volatile dynamics of the region.
Despite the deep political divides and the long shadow of past feuds, the bipartisan acknowledgment of Trump’s achievement in brokering the Israel-Hamas ceasefire stands as a testament to the possibility of unity in the face of global crises. As the region stands at a crossroads, the coming weeks and months will reveal whether this moment of cooperation can spark the enduring peace that so many have long sought.