(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day cease-fire in the war in Gaza — a diplomatic breakthrough that will free dozens of hostages held by militants as well as Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and bring a large influx of aid to the besieged territory.
Palestinians in Chicago said they’re hopeful, but cautious. Some described the deal between Israel and Hamas as an “interim victory for the Palestinian people.”
Hatem Abudayyeh, with the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (UCPCN), said the Unified Palestinian Resistance offered the same deal to Israel in October.
“And Israel refused, which tells the world that Israel just wants to kill, and that Israel just wants to try to wipe Palestinians out of Gaza and off the map,” he said.
He accused Israel of violating agreements “all the time” and added that the UCPCN is “bracing ourselves to make sure that they don’t violate this one.”
The deal could also mean that some American hostages held by Hamas may come home. Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen told CBS 2 that he’s doubtful there will be significantly more.
“We have to remember, there’s around 240 hostages, and we’re talking just about the release of some of them,” he said. “We want to see justice to all of the hostages.”
The parents of Hersh Goldberg Polin, who was seen severely wounded in a Hamas video from Oct. 7, used to live in Chicago. His mother was also skeptical, but she said she’s happy for the families if the hostages are released.
Abudayyeh said that even if the truce continues, Palestinians will continue to protest and pressure local and federal officials to end their support for Israel.
“We believe that there can be a pluralistic society in Palestine, from the river to the sea, if Zionism, racism and apartheid is dismantled,” he said.
Late Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he told U.S. President Joe Biden that he will press ahead with Israel’s war after a temporary cease-fire expires. Netanyahu said at a news conference he delivered the message to Biden in a phone call on Wednesday.
“I want to be clear,” he said. “The war is continuing … we will continue it until we achieve all our goals.”
The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas was initially expected to take effect on Thursday, but Israel leaders said both sides are still working out the fine points and no hostage release was expected to take place before Friday.
WBBM’s Nancy Harty and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
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