On a day that some thought would never come, the remaining living Israeli hostages were freed and returned to their families. For 737 long days, the world watched, prayed, and hoped for this moment, a day when the remaining captives of Hamas would once again breathe the air of freedom, embrace their loved ones, and begin to heal from horrors most of us can scarcely imagine.
As someone who visited Israel earlier this year and hosted senior officials in my office in Washington, including Transportation Minister Miri Regev, I have seen firsthand the pain, courage, and determination of the Israeli people. Every conversation I had in Jerusalem carried the same unspoken question: Will the hostages ever come home?
Last week, thanks to the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and the tireless work of his team, that question has finally been answered, even as we continue to demand the release, as well, of the bodies of those murdered on October 7 and in captivity.
This homecoming is more than a diplomatic success led by the US president. It is a moral triumph, a reaffirmation that strength, perseverance, and faith can prevail over evil. It proves once again that when President Trump and the United States lead, the world takes notice and peace becomes possible.
Trump's commitment to the hostages
From the beginning, Trump made it clear that America would not rest until every hostage was accounted for. He refused to play politics with human lives. He restored the kind of muscular diplomacy that defines true American leadership, reminding both allies and adversaries that America stands firmly on the side of peace through strength.
Under his direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, worked tirelessly to bring every last living Israeli hostage home. Their diplomacy was patient but firm, compassionate but tough, using every ounce of American leverage to achieve what many thought was impossible.
Having walked the streets of Israel earlier this year, I can say with confidence that this victory will be felt in every Israeli household and also here in the United States. It will be remembered in every synagogue and by every family who never gave up hope.
Peace through strength
This outcome is not the product of luck but of leadership. The same strategic thinking that produced the Abraham Accords, the most transformative Middle East peace agreement in a generation, was once again at work here.
President Trump and his team have proven that peace is not achieved through appeasement or weakness but through respect, trust, and strength.
For too long, under the previous administration, America’s moral clarity was clouded by hesitation. Terrorists and their state sponsors grew emboldened. The return of President Trump to the White House restored that clarity and reminded the world that America does not bow to extremists or bureaucrats. We lead with conviction, and we stand by our friends.
Human resilience
In early 2025, I had the honor of meeting with several of the hostages’ families to stand in solidarity with them during their darkest days.
The family members pictured with me that day included Ronen and Orna Neutra, whose son, Omer Neutra, a young gap-year student who joined the Israel Defense Forces, had been taken hostage; Ilana Gritzewsky, who had been kidnapped by Hamas and whose partner, Matan Zangauker, was held captive; and Moshe Lavi, whose brother-in-law, Omri Miran, was among the missing. Their faith and unwavering belief that their loved ones would one day return embodied the spirit of an entire nation that refused to lose hope.
As the freed hostages reunite with their families, we are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit. These men, women, and children endured unspeakable cruelty. Their physical freedom may have been stripped away, but their faith and dignity remained unbroken. The tears, embraces, and whispered prayers we now see across Israel are the most powerful testimony to human endurance and divine justice.
For the families who now hold their loved ones again, may this be the beginning of healing. For those whose family members did not survive, may their memories forever be a blessing.
A historic victory
President Trump’s success in securing the release of these hostages is not only a victory for Israel but for all who cherish liberty. It sends a message to every terrorist organization on earth that America will never tolerate the taking of innocent life as a bargaining chip. It tells the world that the era of weakness is over and that American strength, guided by faith, is back.
Blessed are the peacemakers who fought for these families amid overwhelming odds and uncertainty. Their work is not over, but today they have given the world a glimpse of hope, a reminder that light can emerge even after the darkest night.
This is a moment to celebrate freedom, faith, and the enduring alliance between the United States and Israel, a bond that President Trump has strengthened like no leader before him. It is a day to remember that evil can be defeated, that faith can endure, and that under strong, principled leadership, America remains the defender of liberty and the champion of peace.
History will remember this as the moment the hostages came home and the day President Trump once again proved that America leads best when it leads with strength, conviction, and the blessing of Almighty God.
The writer is a member of the US House of Representatives from Arizona.