Many Washington, D.C.-area Jewish leaders excitedly welcomed the news that Hamas freed all 20 living hostages on Monday after more than two years of captivity.
This development comes as both Israel and Hamas agreed to the “first phase” of a 20-point agreement to end the war in Gaza and bring home the dozens of remaining hostages held since Oct. 7, 2023, as President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 8. In addition, Israel agreed to release more than 1,900 Palestinian captives and partially withdraw from Gaza per the deal.
“I think it’s extremely welcome news, and it feels like hope is finally within reach,” Alan Ronkin, the regional director of American Jewish Committee Washington, D.C., told Washington Jewish Week.
The Israeli government voted on Friday to approve the “framework for the release of all of the hostages — the living and the deceased,” according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“Myself and people around the world are just thrilled,” Ron Halber, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, told Washington Jewish Week. “The innocent Israelis, who, for the most part, were attending a concert, were kidnapped, held underground, deprived of food and water and were mentally and psychologically abused, returned home. Their suffering is over, and their families’ nightmare is over.”
Although Halber expressed excitement and gratitude for this update, he remains “a little concerned” that Hamas has only returned four of the 28 deceased hostages’ bodies as of Monday afternoon: “This is just a momentary issue that resolved because I am concerned that it won’t take much for the parties to go back to fighting.”
Trump, who is in Egypt on Monday to attend a summit on Gaza’s future with fellow world leaders, said the Israel-Hamas war “is over,” The Washington Post reported.
Halber, however, said that Trump is being too hasty in his declaration of “peace in the Middle East.”
“It’s more of a technical pause that hopefully will lead to a pathway to peace,” Halber said. “But in order for that pathway to peace [to occur], the second step of the cease-fire must take place, which is [that] Hamas must disarm and give up any semblance of governing power in Gaza. That was one of Israel’s warnings.”
For now, he added that Israel is “basking in the glow” of welcoming the hostages home; Halber said he doesn’t envision any Israeli military action at the moment.
Other Jewish leaders expressed gratitude and joy at this latest development.
“After 738 days, we are overjoyed watching the reunions of the 20 surviving hostages with their loved ones, and our hearts are with the families of the deceased hostages who await their return,” an AJC statement read.
“Through 18 major Jewish holidays and 105 Shabbat dinners, Jewish families in Israel and around the world had empty chairs at our tables, yellow ribbons on our lapels, and fractures in our hearts,” a statement by the Jewish Federations of North America read. “Today we rejoice as the 20 surviving hostages come home to their loved ones and finally fill the empty chairs at our tables and begin mending our broken hearts.”
“The images of the hostages finally reunited with their loved ones are deeply moving and a much-needed reminder of hope and humanity,” a statement by the nonprofit organization J Street read.
The Federations also acknowledged the 28 hostages who did not survive captivity, “whose bodies are expected to return home in the coming hours and days,” and the more than 900 soldiers who died in combat.
“Today we have no political statements — only words of gratitude and prayer to the Almighty,” a statement by the Orthodox Union read. “We pray for the healing of the hostages who have returned alive and for comfort for the families of those deceased. We pray to the Almighty for the strength and perseverance of the soldiers of Tzahal to whom our gratitude is unending, we pray that G-d grant them and their families strength and healing, and that He bring comfort to the families of those who gave their lives for our people.”
The AJC statement noted that although the release of the remaining hostages is a step in the right direction, the work is not yet finished.
“As we welcome home the surviving hostages and mourn with the families of the deceased hostages as they wait to bury their loved ones, we must ensure full rehabilitation for the living and the continued support for all the families who have endured extensive trauma and grief,” the statement read.
“We recognize that [the released hostages] have a challenging physical and mental rehabilitation process ahead and we embrace them as they work to reclaim their lives,” a statement by Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America read.
“Healing the bodies and spirits of the former hostages, their families, the people of Israel, and the innocent Gazans caught in the conflict will take time, resources, and love,” a statement by the Reform Jewish Movement read. “Let this day strengthen our resolve to secure Israel’s safety while advancing a future rooted in dignity, pluralism, and peace for all who live in the land.”
“This is a potentially historic and pivotal moment in the Middle East — one that could move us to a better future for Israelis and Palestinians — and ultimately the entire Middle East,” Ronkin wrote in an email to Washington Jewish Week. “We cannot allow this moment to pass.”
Halber attributes the exchange to three pressure factors: the Israeli military, Qatar and Turkey and Trump, who was the “only person able to bring Israel to the table.” Jewish leaders from across the political aisle expressed gratitude to Trump and his administration for his role in brokering the deal.
The Republican Jewish Coalition cited Trump’s “righteous leadership and relentless efforts” that led to the hostages’ release, labeling him the “most pro-Israel president in U.S. history” and “the Peacemaker President.”
Israel awarded Trump with its country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Honor, according to a statement by RJC: “No one is more deserving of this distinction.”
“[The Jewish Democratic Council of America] is celebrating the release of all 20 living hostages and eagerly awaiting the return of all 28 deceased hostages, and is grateful to President Trump for making it possible with his 20-point plan for peace,” a JDCA statement read.
“This is not a time to be political; it’s a time to say, ‘Thank you,’” Halber said.
