Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a “last minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited agreement to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages, according to the Associated Press.
Ahead of Netanyahu’s statement, South Florida’s Jewish community reacted with both joy and concern after learning of a brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” said Josephine Gon, executive director of the Jewish Federation’s Center to Combat Antisemitism and Hatred.
“My reaction is mixed, as, I think, most is,” said Rabbi Efrem Goldberg of Boca Raton Synagogue.
Goldberg said he is extremely thankful to hear the conflict is ending and hostages will be released.
“On the other hand, angst over what it means to release prisoners from the other side, what it means to withdraw from a fight, what it means to the future of Israel to be vulnerable again,” Goldberg said.
Gon expressed similar emotions.
She said she’s also concerned about the future but grateful to see the fighting end and hostages be released.
“It’s been agonizing for the families of the hostages, for Israelis, for Jews around the world,” Gon said.
Both Gon and Goldberg said they choose to be hopeful that the deal between Israelis and Hamas can mark the beginning of peace in the Middle East.
“We hope that the remaining hostages will be united, that it’ll lead to the end of hostilities and will lead to a safer era and an end to this war,” Gon said.
“We pray that those who made this choice did so wisely, and we pray that the outcome is one that brings peace for Israel, for the Jewish people, but also for any innocent Palestinians,” Goldberg said.
The deal still needs to be approved by the Israeli cabinet.
The ceasefire is scheduled to begin Sunday.
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