DeKalb-area faith leaders react to Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

DeKALB – Some DeKalb-area Muslim and Jewish faith leaders said they’re encouraged by the ceasefire deal that came after a 15 monthslong war between Israel and Hamas.

The truce, which consists of three phases and first went into effect Jan. 15, is expected to intervene in and pause conflict in the war for an initial period of six weeks, The Associated Press reported.

The first phase of the truce calls for the release of 33 Israeli hostages who’ve been held captive by Hamas for 15 months and almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, as well as the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory, according to The AP.

More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and wide swaths of the territory have been destroyed, The AP reported.

Mohammed Labadi, president of the Islamic Center of DeKalb, said he was pleased to hear that a ceasefire has been reached.

“Anytime the bombing stops is a very good thing,” Labadi said. “I’m just very excited for the people of Gaza to be able to sleep without having to worry about getting a bomb over their head, over their tents while they’re sleeping. So it’s a good thing.”

In a statement to Shaw Local News Network, Robert Feldacker, president of Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb, said he hopes the truce will begin the process of making things right between both sides.

“As a congregation, we will always stand with our members, their families and their loved ones anywhere in the world they are in danger,” Feldacker wrote. “As a Jewish community, we know that everyone caught in this terrible conflict is equally and fully human. We mourn the slain, pray for freedom for the captives and healing for the injured. We hope, still, that this ceasefire will lead to a just and lasting peace for all.”

Labadi said he’s hopeful that the ceasefire can bring hope to those more directly affected by the conflict.

“I don’t even want to go through the losses that they have, and I understand they’re finding a whole lot more bodies under the rubble than they have even anticipated right now,” Labadi said. “But hopefully, with the war stopping and the food coming in, maybe they’ll get a chance to reprieve and start rebuilding again.”

The initial phase of the truce is expected to see the withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and allow Palestinians who had been displaced from northern Gaza throughout the war to return to the area.

It remains unclear when the second or third phase of the ceasefire would commence.

Labadi said he hopes the truce will make a difference in the conflict.

“I just hope that this bloodshed can stop,” Labadi said.

He said he believes it’s important that the ceasefire deal give Palestinians power.

“I’d like to see the Palestinians being able to control their own destiny, have self-control in the area that they live in once Israel departs and they don’t continue the embargo on it from the land, the sea and the air,” Labadi said. “I just want them to live a normal human life without being [prohibited] to go to the hospital, go to work, buy something or sell something.”

Labadi said he’s encouraged by the truce and its significance to those affected by the conflict.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Labadi said. “I didn’t think I’ll see anything like this genocide in my lifetime, but it’s good that it has stopped for now. People can take a breath and start regrouping, look to rebuild hopefully.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.