Washington, D.C. — Today, the White House announced that negotiators have reached a deal between Israel and Hamas that would establish a ceasefire in Gaza and provide for the release of Israeli hostages. In response, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
This deal represents the best opportunity to end the war in Gaza, release all remaining Israeli hostages, and bring meaningful relief to the people of Gaza who have endured a massive onslaught and an overwhelming humanitarian crisis. The Biden administration has worked tirelessly with regional partners to achieve a cessation in hostilities and deserves credit for its perseverance.
But this is only a temporary reprieve that’s incredibly fragile. It is tragic that a ceasefire was not concluded sooner, since the terms are basically what negotiators could have agreed to eight months ago. There has been exponential suffering and gratuitous destruction in the interim. It is important to remember that the families of more than 1,200 Israelis and at least 49,000 Palestinians who have died continue to mourn their loved ones. Other Israeli families have endured unimaginable agony, awaiting news of family and friends presumed to have been taken hostage by Hamas. Nearly 2 million Palestinians are displaced from their home and face acute hunger.
In the interest of humanity, it is crucial that all phases of the ceasefire agreement are fully and scrupulously implemented, not just the first stage. This includes ensuring an enduring cessation of hostilities, the release of all remaining hostages, investment in relief and reconstruction, security for Israel and Palestinians, and the restoration of Palestinian-led governance in Gaza. To avoid a repetition of the past 15 months, this deal should be the first step toward a lasting, just peace, in which Israelis, Palestinians, and all the region’s people have security, live in dignity, and exercise their rights to self-determination.