Locals cautiously optimistic, wondering what comes next after Israel, Hamas reach ceasefire deal

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some Mid-Missourians sighed a breath of relief Wednesday, while others were filled with mixed emotions following a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

"Most people assume like we've seen so many people celebrating and they're just so happy...to be honest with you, I'm more of a cautious optimist because we've seen this pattern before," Humanitarian Aid worker Rasha Abousalem said.

Executive Director for the University of Missouri Hillel Jewish Campus Center Jeanne Snodgrass said Wednesday brought along a feeling of hope for her, but along with that came a wonder about the future.

"I try to be optimistic and say it's like hope, I think you have to. I personally don't think you can operate fully in the world if you're only just looking for the next wrong thing, so there's hope. But there's work that comes with that," Snodgrass said.

Several national news outlets released on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire deal that includes the exchange of hostages after tensions rose following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

According to ABC news, the deal will begin on Sunday and hostages will be released in phases.

The deal allows for a six-week halt of fighting between the two, as well as the release of 33 hostages in Gaza in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and the removal of Israeli troops in the area. Negotiations to end the war are scheduled to begin on the 16th day of of the ceasefire.

Abousalem has been in Cairo for the past few weeks working on aid convoys to Gaza. The ceasefire is something she said she views as a good thing because aid groups are now being able to deliver aid after the border opened.

She's also happy about the immediate relief of violence in the area that's been happening for more than a year. With that happiness comes worry, as Abousalem said she also views the deal as a temporary solution.

"There's been a long history of breaking ceasefires in any context we see this," Abousalem said. "So, this is this is something I'm along with many others are anticipating, unfortunately."

Abousalem said she also worries with the ceasefire not taking effect until Sunday, she has concerns over violence continuing up until then.

Snodgrass said she's now thinking about what comes next, but is hopeful that the ceasefire will allow for people in Gaza and Israel to be able to begin to rebuild and get back to normal.

However, similar to Abousalem, she views the issue between the two as a more complex problem.

"This ceasefire is a solution to a very specific issue but it is not the solution in and of itself to the conflict that's happening," Snodgrass said. "The overall conflict, that's going to require more work and that's going to require a little bit more building."

The issue of a larger problem at hand is something Mark Haim with Mid-Missouri Peaceworks also said he has concerns about.

"Neither side can have it all and there are people on both sides who want it all and are unwilling to recognize that they have to compromise, and that compromise is necessary to create a peaceful future," Haim said.