Many Baltimore-area Jewish leaders are “cautiously optimistic” about the peace plan between Israel and Hamas that President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 8.
Both parties agreed to the “first phase” of an agreement to end the two-year war in Gaza and bring home the dozens of remaining hostages held since Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas released the remaining living hostages on Monday and Israel partially withdrew from Gaza, per the deal.
“We’re all deeply appreciative of the leadership of the American government [and] the leadership of the Muslim and Arab nations that have been pressuring Hamas to accept a deal,” Howard Libit, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, told the Baltimore Jewish Times. “We seem to have gotten further with [a deal to end the war] than any other time in the last two years.”
However, Libit added that he believes the “smart thing to do is to remain cautious.”
“Its been two years of too many lives lost by everyone — too many Israeli lives, too many Palestinian lives — and two years of horrendous conditions for the remaining hostages,” he added. “I think collectively there’s a feeling like it’s time to move past this and maybe find a way to bring peace to the region, and hopefully we can progress through all 20 points of this peace plan and get there.”
Andrew Cushnir, president and CEO of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, shared the same sentiment. He said he is concerned about the remaining deceased hostages who have not been returned yet.
“I am elated and joyful. I am also a little bit concerned about what I’m hearing as of recently,” said Cushnir. “All of the deceased hostages have not been returned as people had anticipated. I think that is of significant importance for Israel’s ability to heal.”
“I think the whole Jewish world has been holding its breath for two years, dreaming of a…hostage deal,” Cushnir said.
As the hostages are released, bereaved families are being reunited with their loved ones.
“There have been so many times where it felt almost dangerous to have hope,” said Rabbi Joshua Gruenberg of Chizuk Amuno Congregation. “So, to feel we can see the light at the end of the tunnel is amazing and absolutely wonderful.”
National leaders of Jewish organizations also applauded Israel and Hamas’ signing of the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire deal.
A statement from the American Jewish Committee read, “After 738 days, we are overjoyed watching the reunions of the twenty surviving hostages with their loved ones, and our hearts are with the families of the deceased hostages who await their return.”
“For two years, our hearts have ached alongside the families of the captives,” a statement by the Jewish Federations of North America read. “We have prayed, rallied, and spoken their names, refusing to let the world forget them. Today, our prayers have been answered — not completely, for the pain of loss remains — but with the long-awaited promise of healing, renewal, and hope.”
“While not a full peace agreement, it is the first and necessary step toward stopping the death and suffering as the hostages come home, the IDF pulls back, long-serving reservists return to their families, and innocent Gazan civilians caught in the crossfire can finally experience a modicum of safety and receive a consistent flow of vitally needed humanitarian aid,” a statement by the Reform Jewish Movement read. “The pain and grief of this war will not soon heal, but seeing our hostages finally embraced by their families will fill our aching hearts.”
Other organizations, including AIPAC, remembered the 1,200 people killed in Israel on Oct. 7.
“We celebrate this moment even as we mourn the innocent lives that have been lost because of Hamas’ savagery,” AIPAC’s statement read.
“This cease-fire must be the first step toward rebuilding Gaza and ultimately working toward a two-state solution,” a statement by the Jewish Democratic Council of America read.
“It should never have taken this long — but today, hope is finally becoming reality,” Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress, wrote in a statement. “This agreement marks a turning point. Hamas must now be disarmed and excluded from any future role in Gaza. Only then can there be lasting peace and security for Israel and for the region.”
Jewish leaders also said the agreement could be a vital step toward lasting peace in the region.
“[If] we have a Gaza being governed by some kind of a structure that does not include Hamas or other terrorist elements in it,” Libit added, “I think that can be a good thing for the security of Israel and for the security of the everyday Palestinians who live in Gaza.”
