Local groups hope for lasting peace after Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
      NOW: Local groups hope for lasting peace after Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal
      NEXT:

      MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Locally, there's a feeling of cautious optimism regarding the announcement of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. After some 14 months at war, trust is low on both sides that Sunday's deal will be honored.

      Even with that deal on paper, both sides tell us anything can happen in these next four days. But their prayers remain solid and steadfast that prisoners will be released.

      The first phase of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire is expected to let 33 Israeli prisoners, and a thousand Palestinian prisoners go home.

      "The youngest hostage is turning two this Saturday. He will have spent more of his life as a hostage in Gaza tunnels than he did living out in the community that I just visited last week," said Miryam Rosenzweig, president and CEO of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

      Rosenzweig told CBS 58 this is the home where that two-year-old child was taken captive in Nir Oz.

      Miryam Rosenzweig

      The Rosenzweig's spent this Hanukkah with family in Israel, driven to see the devastation.

      "There have been rumors on and off over the last 466 days and so that's why we remain cautiously optimistic," said Rosenzweig.

      At the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, the cease fire is also top of mind.

      "The most important thing is are the Israelis, is the Israeli government going to be required to carry out the terms of the agreement? We're hoping that that will happen," said Othman Atta, Executive Director, Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

      Othman Atta says people are expressing a sense of relief but also skepticism. There's more of the same at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

      "The only weapon that we really have is our prayers and all we can do is pray and those prayers aren't gonna stop," said Rizwan Ahmad with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.

      Rizwan Ahmad's pleased to hear phase one allows more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

      "And that people can start seeing relief is, and it's wintertime so it's tougher on the people as well also," said Ahmad.

      For now, those on both sides living in the Milwaukee area say their hearts are for the hostages.

      "We've been waiting desperately every day for the news of their release and so everyone, anyone who comes out, the joy is unimaginable at the same time, we cannot forget this is a deal with the devil," said Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin of Lubavitch of Wisconsin.

      We also heard some express concern that violence could actually increase in these days leading up to Sunday. So, their prayers will be continuing.

      Share this article:
      By using our site, you agree that we and third parties may use cookies and similar technologies to collect information for analytics, advertising, and other purposes described in our Privacy Policy and agree to our Terms of Use