After 15 long months

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington welcomes the news of a hostage agreement today that will see the release of dozens of hostages from Gaza after more than 465 days of captivity. We are deeply relieved that these hostages will finally be coming home after 15 long months.

At the same time, we cannot rest until every hostage is reunited with their family. We hope this agreement will be a positive step forward in efforts to establish a sustainable and lasting peace.

Every day for over 15 months, our community has held the hostages in our hearts, wept for their plight, prayed for their safe return, and mourned for those we’ve lost. Today, as always, Federation remains committed to ensuring the long-term recovery of the hostages and their families.

There is much work to be done and significant uncertainty ahead, but we are hopeful that the first phase of this agreement will pave the way for the remaining hostages to come home, for hostilities to end, and for an era of security and rebuilding for both Israel and its neighbors.

Gil Preuss
CEO, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington