Washington, D.C. — Today, Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause that includes releasing at least 50 hostages held by Hamas since October 7. In response, Patrick Gaspard, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
It is a tremendous relief that these hostages will soon be reunited with their families. We hope and pray for the release of all hostages who are held by these brutal terrorists.
It’s also vital that this exchange will allow additional aid to reach Gazans in truly desperate circumstances after weeks of Israel’s military offensive. The current pause shows that negotiations can deliver results. President Biden and Secretary Blinken can build on this progress to urge a more robust ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, secure the release of all remaining hostages, and begin a process to compel long-term solutions in this entrenched conflict.
Related resources: “Israel-Hamas Conflict: 5 Actions Washington Should Prioritize Now” by Patrick Gaspard and Allison McManus
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].