STATEMENT: Ceasefire Agreement Is Long Overdue, But All Sides Must Work Hard To Resolve Remaining Issues

Washington, D.C. — Andrew Miller, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and former deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, issued the following comments after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the Trump administration’s ceasefire deal that would halt fighting in Gaza and lead to the release of the remaining hostages:

This agreement is a welcome and long-overdue development, but it’s just the beginning of a lengthy process that all sides must commit to resolving as soon as possible. It’s long past time that the Israeli hostages are released, Palestinians receive the humanitarian support they deserve, and the guns fall silent.

Turning this ceasefire into a durable peace still requires the negotiation and implementation of the rest of the plan, which leaves unresolved many of the most challenging issues. That includes questions about the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of the Israeli troops, and establishment of an international stabilization force. Without sustained U.S. focus and engagement, this ceasefire could break down again, causing more gratuitous suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike. The Trump administration should exert all necessary efforts to finalize the agreement and avert the resumption of the war.

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