Ted Budd, Senator of North Carolina, expressed approval regarding the release of 20 hostages after 738 days, while highlighting that many families still await closure. He credited former President Donald Trump’s approach over that of the Biden administration. The statement was made on X.
“The world woke up to the wondrous news that 20 hostages—held 738 days in Gaza—were finally reunited with their families,” said Theodore Paul Budd, U.S. Senator from North Carolina. “While there is much to celebrate, 28 families still wait for the return of their loved ones’ remains. President Donald J. Trump overcame failures of the Biden admin by restoring America’s commitment to Israel’s security & applying relentless pressure on Hamas terrorists. Blessed are the peacemakers.”
According to reports from October 13, all 20 remaining living hostages were freed after being held in Gaza for 738 days. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it “facilitated the return of 20 hostages” under a ceasefire agreement. CBS News reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) transferred them to hospitals for medical checks and reunification with their families on the same day.
As of late October, officials noted that bodies were still being returned under an agreement where Hamas consented to hand over the remains of 28 deceased hostages. Fifteen had been delivered by October 30, leaving 13 still outstanding. This information aligns with earlier briefings confirming the release of all living captives on October 13 while recovery operations for the deceased continued.
Reuters reported that across different U.S. administrations, actions have produced measurable outcomes. In November 2023, a truce brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States resulted in the release of 105 hostages. Additionally, an October 13, 2025 ceasefire saw the final group of living hostages freed. Concurrently, multiple sanctions were imposed on Hamas by the Treasury Department between 2023 and 2025 to disrupt its financing operations.
Senator Ted Budd serves on several committees including Armed Services, Intelligence, Commerce, Small Business, and the Joint Economic Committee. Elected in 2022 after three terms in the House of Representatives, he emphasizes strong national security measures, support for Israel, and supply-chain resilience according to his official Senate biography.
North Carolina is represented in the U.S. Senate by Thom Tillis and Ted Budd. Tillis co-chairs the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group and serves on Armed Services and Judiciary Committees while Budd sits on Armed Services and Commerce Committees. Their roles place North Carolina at a significant position in foreign-policy and security deliberations as noted by a summary from UNC Public Affairs delegation.
