Southern Ontarian families relieved for loved ones as Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins
After 15 months of anguish and uncertainty, Maureen Leshem of Toronto and her family in Israel finally received some much-needed relief on Sunday. Leshem’s cousin, Romi Gonen, was among the three hostages released as part of a ceasefire deal that halted the war in Gaza, which erupted following attacks by Hamas-led militants on Israel in October 2023.
Speaking at a news conference in Toronto, Leshem expressed her immense gratitude and relief at the news. The ceasefire agreement, spanning six weeks, involves the gradual release of a total of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The official commencement of the ceasefire was slightly delayed by three hours.
Israeli officials have admitted uncertainty regarding the well-being of all 33 hostages. Gonen was abducted by Hamas during the Nova Music Festival 471 days ago. She sustained a gunshot wound to the arm on the fateful day of October 7, an incident she managed to convey to her family over the phone before being taken captive. However, it took nearly two months for her family to confirm her survival.
Leshem described the unimaginable cruelty and trauma endured by her cousin during her captivity. She emphasized that the family’s focus now shifts to helping Gonen heal from her harrowing ordeal. Leshem acknowledged that the Romi returning home may be significantly changed by her experiences, which tugs at her heart.
In a parallel release, about 90 Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank and Jerusalem were set free on the same day. Reem Sultan from London, Ontario, who has suffered the loss of numerous family members in the conflict, shared her sense of relief at the ceasefire. She described feeling a weight lifted off her chest and expressed concern for her displaced cousins returning home amidst the widespread destruction in Gaza.
Sultan urged for accountability for the devastation caused and hoped for a resolution that paves the way for a free Palestinian state and enduring peace in the region. She called upon the Canadian government to advocate for a permanent ceasefire. International pressure, according to Jon Allen, a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and former Canadian ambassador to Israel, will be crucial in maintaining peace in the coming weeks.
As negotiations continue for a permanent ceasefire, there is cautious optimism that the first phase of the agreement will progress smoothly. The ceasefire is viewed by Israel as temporary, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting the country’s right to resume hostilities if deemed necessary. However, ongoing discussions between Hamas and Israel hold promise for a lasting peace.
The subsequent phases of the agreement aim to solidify a permanent ceasefire and focus on the reconstruction of Gaza. With the hope of a peaceful resolution on the horizon, stakeholders remain committed to ensuring the well-being and security of all those affected by the conflict.
