ManitobaManitobans are optimistic, but cautiously so, about news that Israel and Hamas have entered a ceasefire after signing the first phase of the U.S.-proposed Gaza peace deal.’I’m a half-full-cup type of person. I’m really hopeful’: Jeff LiebermanDarren Bernhardt · CBC News · Posted: Oct 09, 2025 1:14 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoPalestinian Winnipegger Louay Alghoul, left, and Jeff Lieberman of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg both say they are optimistic about a peace deal but also aware it’s early in the process. (CBC, left, Rudy Gauer/CBC)Manitobans are optimistic, but cautiously so, about news that Israel and Hamas have entered a ceasefire after signing the first phase of the U.S.-proposed Gaza peace deal.”I’m a half-full-cup type of person. I’m really hopeful that this will be the end of the war there and that peace in the region can be established,” said Jeff Lieberman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.”It’s important that at the end of the day that the hostages are released and that Israeli people are going to be able to live in a safe environment, feel secure,” he told CBC Manitoba Information Radio host Marcy Markusa on Thursday.”And also, you know, for the people of Gaza, an opportunity for them to have a much better life. It’s going to take a while for them to restructure but I think with the American and other countries’ backing, they’ll be able to have a good life going forward as well.”U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had come to an agreement in Egypt on the beginning of a 20-point peace plan released by the White House last week.The deal means all hostages “will be released very soon ,” Trump posted on social media.Palestinians in Gaza, Israelis rejoice as Israel and Hamas agree to halt fighting, release hostages Israel and Hamas reach ‘first phase’ of peace deal, Trump says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government on Thursday to approve the ceasefire agreement.”I’m just really, really happy that this is going forward. We’ve been waiting for this day for two years now,” Lieberman said. “It’s time for us to move forward and for people to live in peace.”Displaced Palestinians gather on a coastal road in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday during an attempt to return to Gaza City after the announcement that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting. (Abdel Kareem Hana/Associated Press)On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants killed an estimated 1,200 people in southern Israel and took another 250 as hostages.Israel retaliated, launching a war in which more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed and about 170,000 more wounded, according to Gaza’s health ministry.Most of the living hostages or bodies of dead ones have been released under previous ceasefire deals, but 48 are still held in Gaza — around 20 believed by Israel to be alive.Palestinian Winnipeg lawyer Louay Alghoul, who has lost 139 family members in the war, said he’s “very hopeful, but also worried” the Netanyahu government will back out, as has happened in previous attempts to end the conflict.”I guess we have to wait and see,” Alghoul told Markusa. “We’re all very, very, very optimistic and hopeful that this is going to come to an end because it’s just, it’s a disaster. “More than 80 per cent of the homes in Gaza have been destroyed since the war began, leaving people living in metal shelters covered with tarps, Alghoul said.”There’s no clean water, there’s no food coming in” due to Israel blocking aid, he said. “It’s an unimaginable way of living but we’re hoping … rebuilding of Gaza is going to happen soon if this goes forward.”Carney calls Israel denying humanitarian aid in Gaza ‘violation of international law’ António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, on Thursday urged all involved in the peace deal to establish a “credible political path forward … recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and achieving a two-state solution.””We must never forget the unbearable human cost of this conflict. I mourn all of the lives lost,” he said, also citing the deaths of UN personnel and humanitarian workers.”This deal offers a glimmer of relief and that glimmer must become the dawn of peace, the beginning of the end of this devastating war.”Israel ‘must finish the job’ in Gaza, Netanyahu tells UN, after dozens walk out in protest Alghoul says Netanyahu, who has opposed a two-state solution on the basis it would reward Hamas, needs to step down.”I don’t think it’s gonna happen if Netanyahu and his government still stay in power,” he said.At the same time, Lieberman said, the Israeli people will never feel secure if Hamas doesn’t relinquish power and step aside for a democratically elected government.”Israel was there for peace and for people, their people, to live in a world where they can live safe lives and don’t have to worry about rockets being shot at them,” he said.”As long as that’s [not] happening from the other side, then I’m sure that Israel’s happy enough to live their life just like they were before October 7, 2023.”Both parties must be held accountable for the conflict, the pressure cannot be just on Hamas, said Alghoul.It has to be on the Israeli government for all of the deaths due to bombs and forced starvation as Israel cut off aid, he said.“Everybody who has done these kind of acts should be held responsible and liable, regardless of which side.”ABOUT THE AUTHORDarren Bernhardt has been with CBC Manitoba since 2009 and specializes in offbeat and local history stories. He is the author of two bestselling books: The Lesser Known: A History of Oddities from the Heart of the Continent, and Prairie Oddities: Punkinhead, Peculiar Gravity and More Lesser Known Histories.
Manitobans express optimism Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal can lead to end of 2-year war
