From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 13, 2025
New York leaders hail hostage release; no comment from Mamdani
Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
New York leaders hail the release of hostages from Gaza as the US wakes up to the news of the captives’ return to Israel.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams says: “Our hearts are filled with joy as an end to the war in Gaza appears to be on the horizon and families have finally been united.”
“We pray that this news will bring lasting peace, justice and prosperity to Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Adams says.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul says: “After two years of immense suffering and loss, the Israeli hostages have finally returned home. I join their families in celebrating this long-awaited homecoming and pray they find peace and comfort in the days ahead.”
“I’m grateful to the administration for its role in securing the hostages’ release. With their return and a permanent ceasefire, I’m hopeful that vital aid will soon reach families suffering in Gaza and that today marks the beginning of a new chapter of lasting peace and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Hochul says.
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running to become New York City’s next mayor, says: “For two long years, families have lived through unimaginable pain, sleepless nights, and endless heartache.”
“Today, their prayers have been answered, as the remaining hostages are finally home in the arms of their loved ones, where they belong,” Cuomo says. “We must never forget the terrorist act that brought us here, and we must stand together to say, with one voice: never forget and never again. Terrorism has no place in Gaza, in the Middle East, or anywhere in the world.”
There is no immediate comment from New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, a harsh critic of Israel who is leading the race to become the city’s next mayor.
Yesterday, Mamdani said he ran a race for Gaza to raise money for UNRWA USA.
Last week, on the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Mamdani called the Hamas attack a “horrific war crime” and accused Israel of launching a “genocidal war” against the Palestinians.
The Times of Israel Community.