Oct 9, 2025

Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its JCRC and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami Welcome the Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas

With tremendous joy and relief the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) welcome the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza that, if goes as planned, will result in the release of all remaining hostages in the coming days. We are grateful for President Trump’s intervention to bring about the presumed beginning of an end to a long war perpetrated by Iranian-backed extremists and responsible for two years of unnecessary suffering.

We wish the surviving hostages a refuah shlema (speedy recovery). Their fortitude in the face of 733 days of extreme mental and physical torture is a testament to the strength of the Israeli and the Jewish people. We remind the world of why the war was waged in the first place: On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel was invaded by thousands of terrorists who wished to murder Jews and annihilate Israel. During the unwarranted invasion, they took the lives of 1,200 innocent people, almost entirely civilians, and kidnapped 251 more.

Upon the return of the hostages, we look forward to learning more about the details about the peace agreement which needs to ultimately include the full disarmament of Hamas. Removing all weaponry from a terror organization that has ruthlessly targeted not only innocent Israelis but also its own people for decades is an integral moral and strategic step toward permanent peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

We remain cautiously optimistic in the coming days and weeks for an end to the war and a lasting peace. Am Israel Chai.