September 8, 2025
We call on the Government of Israel to declare its unequivocal support for the emerging agreement.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in response to news that the Trump administration has crafted a new ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.
Why It Matters: Israel’s government says that terrorist group Hamas still has 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive. A new ceasefire agreement put forward Sunday by the Trump administration calls for all hostages to be released immediately and for a long-term end of the war. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Israel is seriously considering President Trump’s proposal; it appears Hamas will continue its refusal.” Hamas responded that it “welcomes any move that helps efforts to stop the aggression against our people.”
Monday morning in Jerusalem, two gunmen opened fire at a busy bus stop, killing six people and injuring eight. Israeli police described the gunmen as Palestinian terrorists. While Hamas did not claim responsibility, it did praise the act. The Palestinian presidency “reiterated its firm position rejecting and condemning any targeting of Palestinian and Israeli civilians.” The suspects were killed at the scene, and Israeli military forces “are now engaged in pursuit and are cordoning off the villages from which the murderers came,” according to PM Netanyahu. How this incident will affect the proposed ceasefire remains unclear.
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by Karly Code, based in Kentucky
