Local Jews, Palestinians welcome news of Gaza war ceasefire, chance for peace By: Chris Kitching Posted: 5:14 PM CDT Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

Members of Manitoba’s Jewish and Palestinian communities reacted with relief and guarded optimism Thursday after Israel and Hamas agreed to pause a two-year war under a U.S.-proposed peace plan.

They expressed hope that a ceasefire will last and no more innocent people will be killed, alongside concern for family members and friends who live in the region.

“I’m really hopeful that the intentions of the plans are genuine and honest, and that the objective out of it is genuinely peace in the Middle East and in Palestine, and to reserve the rights for freedom and dignity for Palestinians, and self-determination,” said Hala Kofa, a Palestinian who lives in Winnipeg.

“I hope it has nothing to do with the resources that are found in the city of Gaza. I hope it’s not related to anything like that, that foreign governments are interested in taking control of these things.”

Kofa, who described a peace plan as long overdue, said a member of her extended family was killed during Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

Winnipeg Jew Avrom Charach welcomed the agreement with optimism and trepidation.

“I’m hopeful, as I think most people are — whether involved or uninvolved in the situation — that the peace comes,” he said.

“My first priority is getting back alive hostages. They have to come home. I’m hoping the deceased ones come home, as well, quickly, and I’m hoping that this actually works out.”

Charach spent a year in Israel when he was in high school in the early 1980s. The niece of one of his former classmates, and friends of some of his relatives were among the people, mostly Israelis, taken hostage.

“My first priority is getting back alive hostages. They have to come home.”

The Canadian government has designated the Islamist militant group — which has governed Gaza since 2007 — as a terrorist organization. Canada’s recognition of Palestine last month included a call for elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in the first phase of the proposed U.S. peace deal. Hamas agreed to release surviving hostages, and Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli troops will withdraw to an agreed-upon line, U.S. President Donald Trump said.

The deal led to an exchange of phone calls and between members of the two communities in Manitoba and their family members and friends in Israel and Gaza.

“All night and all morning, we’ve been talking with family and friends, and everybody is hopeful,” said Ramsey Zeid, president of the Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba.

“Everybody is happy the bombing has stopped, that they can go to sleep and not worry, ‘Am I going to wake up the next morning?’”

Jeff Lieberman, president of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, said plenty of work remains to be done, but he was excited when he learned the first phase of the plan had been agreed upon.

“We’re just praying that the hostages are released, and then from there the negotiations will go forward and bring peace to that region,” he said.

“It’s important that everyone be able to live in a safe, secure home — for Israelis and for the people of the Gaza. I certainly don’t like to see any innocent lives being killed on either side.”

The war started after Gaza-based Hamas launched a cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage during the attack.

Israel responded with a military offensive that continued this week. Gaza’s health ministry said more than 67,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have been killed.

“This is going to be a time where people can finally grieve and mourn the loss of their loved ones and give them a proper burial, if they can find their remains,” Zeid said of the pause in fighting.

The war prompted investigations of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Hamas and Israel’s military. Israel has denied allegations of genocide.

Massive humanitarian and rebuilding efforts will be required in Gaza, which has experienced a hunger crisis.

“No one is near fine (in Gaza) because no peace plan will ever bring back the homes that were destroyed, the universities, the history that was wiped off of mosques, of churches that are hundreds of years old,” Kofa said.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca