Ceasefire, Hostage Deal 'Could Bring Stability To Region': Gillen

WASHINGTON, DC — After 15 months, a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza have been announced by President Biden and the Qatari government.

The deal between Hamas and Israel is expected to begin on Sunday, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were "several unresolved clauses," with hopes of getting finalized by Wednesday night, NBC News reported.

The agreement would bring home dozens of hostages, including at least two Americans, CNN said.

"This deal promises to bring the hostages home after 466 agonizing days in Hamas captivity, benefit Israel’s security, and if upheld, could bring stability to the region," said Rep. Laura Gillen (D-NY-04).

Eric Post, the Long Island director for the American Jewish Committee said, "As someone who's met families of hostages, we're really thinking about them. We're hopeful that this agreement will bring home the hostages."

Oct. 7, 2023 was the deadliest attack of Jews since the Holocaust when Hamas terrorists killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostages.

"We must make every effort to prevent the terrorist attacks of October 7th from ever happening again. Hamas can never be allowed to return to power: Lasting peace in the region will only come when the people of Gaza have new leadership," Gillen said.

The first phase includes a six-week ceasefire, but it could be extended indefinitely.

"There's a path for the remaining hostages to come home and hopefully the war to end completely," Post said.

The news is bittersweet for Post, who was also reflecting on the family of Omer Neutra, the IDF soldier who was killed on Oct. 7. His Plainview parents learned last month about their son's fate, as Neutra's body remains in Gaza.

"We want Omer to come home and get a proper burial," he said.