Kol Ami News

SALT LAKE CITY — Many people in Utah are joining with those across the world, eager to hear the next steps after Israel and Hamas signed the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire deal.

It’s been a long and devastating two years since the war in Gaza began. The new deal will see the release of all of the Israeli hostages being kept in Gaza, as well as the release of some Palestinian prisoners.

However, with skepticism, there is still hope, and rabbi Samuel Spector of Congregation Kol Ami believes the new deal is a step forward.

“We’re in the holiday of Sukkot, which we are commanded to be happy and joyful for, and this is welcome joyful news," he said. "We’ve had all these hostages up on our wall, that we have been waiting to take down their pictures.”

President Donald Trump said the hostages are likely to be released early next week. Part of the deal includes Israeli forces withdrawing to lines, leaving the country in control of about 53 percent of the Gaza Strip.

“Also, hopefully for Israelis and Palestinians alike, there can be quiet, there can be peace, there can be an end to death and destruction, and hopefully Gaza can be ruled as well by Palestinian peace seekers and not by Hamas," said Spector.

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