Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Senate President Pro Tempore
“Israel- Hamas Ceasefire”
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

VIDEO

As we all know, the last of the living hostages taken into Gaza by terrorists on October 7, 2023 have now been returned to their families. We can all say “Praise the Lord!”

I think that we all know that this would not have happened without the persistent and skilled leadership of President Trump.

The deal President Trump was able to strike involves a ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, with Hamas not allowed to resume control of Gaza.

Remember, the only reason the Israel Defense Forces entered Gaza in the first place, was because Hamas planned a horrific attack on peaceful Israeli communities, killing over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans.

The Israel Defense Force has found written instructions from the leaders of Hamas in Gaza instructing terrorists to broadcast their sadistic torture and killing of Israeli civilians to strike fear in the hearts of Israelis and destabilize the country.

Hamas also thought those images would set off an uprising in the West Bank and with fellow Iranian-backed terror groups in the region, with the ultimate goal of destroying Israel.

Once again, Israel destroyed those who sought Israel’s destruction.

I have sympathy for everyone who has suffered from Hamas rule in Gaza: Israelis [and] Palestinians alike, and other people, as well.

However, those who called for a unilateral ceasefire without release of all the hostages, while leaving Hamas in charge in Gaza, cannot call themselves “anti-war” because this would reward Hamas for starting the war.

What made this ceasefire possible was President’s Trump’s diplomatic efforts with others in the Arab world to pressure Hamas into accepting that they must give up power.

It is vital that our partners in the Arab world and the West maintain a consistent message that terrorism will not be rewarded.

Israel is here to stay. Those who dream of its destruction need to accept that fact that Israel is here to stay and learn to live in peace. This is the only way to real and lasting peace.

And while I’m at it, we ought to think of another Trump success in his first term, and that’s the Abraham Accords.

If the principle behind the Abraham Accords can be accepted by nations, besides peace, there will be a great economic benefit to all nations.

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