The head of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) has expressed his support for mediators working to reach a deal to free the remaining hostages in Gaza.
Palestinian fighters captured about 250 people during the October 7 attack in southern Israel, killing more than 1,100. Of those taken, 105 were freed in a deal with Hamas, but about 100 remain in Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its war on Gaza.
Ronald Lauder, president of the US-based WJC, said in a statement that he was grateful to “all parties involved in the effort to free all remaining hostages” and acknowledged that played roles by Qatar and Egypt, along with the United States, to secure the release of the hostages.
“As already acknowledged by many in the international community, especially the Qatari leadership, who have devoted much time and effort to releasing all hostages and bringing humanitarian relief to Gaza, this is essential to regional stability and security,” he said.
The statement came ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting on Tuesday.
Mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire continue, with US media reports indicating the White House is preparing to table a new proposal to end the war.
In a televised appearance last week, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasized his demand that Israel maintain military control over Gaza’s southern border area with Egypt – known as The Philadelphia Corridor – Despite protests from Palestinians and Egyptians.
This, along with their insistence on maintaining a military presence in the so-called Netzarim Corridor, which cuts Gaza in half, is seen as a major obstacle to a ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu’s position has hardened in recent months despite massive protests across Israel calling for a deal to free the captives.
Since then, protests have grown Six captives The dead were found in southern Gaza last week. Israeli police estimated that about 750,000 people took part in the demonstration on Saturday.
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