Obama Praises Israel-Hamas Peace Deal

On Thursday, former President Barack Obama expressed his support for the initial phase of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, coming after two years of conflict in Gaza.

Obama remarked, “After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and Gaza residents, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is in sight, that hostages still being held will be reunited with their families, and that critical aid will begin to reach those in Gaza whose lives have been shattered.”

He also emphasized that it’s now the responsibility of both Israelis and Palestinians, with help from the United States and the global community, to undertake the tough work of rebuilding Gaza and pursuing a process that can lead to lasting peace by acknowledging the shared humanity and fundamental rights of both sides.

Interestingly, Obama’s statement didn’t mention President Trump, who had announced a ceasefire between both parties just the day before.

Trump stated, “This means that all hostages will soon be freed and Israel will withdraw its forces to agreed fronts as a first step towards a strong, lasting, and everlasting peace. All parties will be treated fairly!” in a recent post.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly followed with his own remarks, saying, “With God’s help, we will bring them all home,” referring to the hostages held by Hamas, whether living or deceased.

Last week, Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan that included proposals for the release of 250 Israeli prisoners serving life sentences and the establishment of a Trump-led international “peace commission” to manage and reconstruct the Gaza Strip.

Since Trump’s return to the White House, Obama has been vocal regarding the situation in Gaza. In July, he called for urgent measures in light of reports of famine affecting Palestinian territories.

He stated, “A lasting solution to the Gaza crisis must include the return of all hostages and an end to Israeli military operations. However, these articles underscore the urgent need to prevent the tragedy of innocent people dying from preventable starvation.” He pointed to two New York Times articles in a post on social media.

Around the same period, Trump also addressed reports of famine in Gaza, alleging that Hamas had stolen food allocated for Palestinians, a claim the Israeli military disputed, stating there was no supporting evidence.