The Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ celebrate the reports of the agreement to bring home the hostages and end the war in Gaza. 

While we still await their return, we are grateful for President Donald Trump’s leadership in prioritizing this cause and brokering this agreement. We thank him for his commitment to securing the safety of the hostages and other innocent lives – both Israeli and Palestinian –  while working to eliminate the threat of Hamas to Israel and the world. His efforts, supported by many others in the international community, have created a critical opening for peace.

We commend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the difficult choices he has made to secure the release of the hostages. The decision to bring home those held in captivity reflects the highest Jewish value of pikuah nefesh—the preservation of life. We stand in solidarity with the families who have suffered in anguish for nearly two years, pray for the physical and spiritual healing of their loved ones, and welcome the return of those hostages who were killed in captivity. We also offer support and comfort to those families who suffered grievous losses at the hands of Palestinian terrorists who will be freed as part of this deal. 

We hold out hope that this can lead to a lasting peace in which generations of Israelis and Palestinians can live with security and dignity.  As we pray each day, “Sim Shalom Ba’Olam – Grant peace to the world: goodness and blessing, grace, love, and compassion to us and all the people Israel.”