Скачать или смотреть Cleveland's Jewish, Palestinian communities react to release of hostages, prisoners amid ceasefire

After Monday's developments in the Middle East, reaction from Northeast Ohio’s Jewish and Palestinian communities is pouring in.

"We've been longing for this day deeply," said Rabbi Yael Dadoun from Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood. "I myself can't believe it happened. I'm in awe."

Hamas released all 20 of the last living hostages on Monday, the Israeli military said, as part of a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip. Buses carrying dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners also drove to the West Bank city of Ramallah and the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-run Prisoners Office said, after Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners.

"I do feel an extreme sense of relief, in regards for our prisoners," said Chance Zurub with Cleveland's Palestinian Youth Movement.

The war began with Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 captives. Israel's retaliatory campaign killed more than 67,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, but its figures are seen as a reliable estimate by the U.N. and many independent experts.

Natalie Clydesdale reports. --

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