Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Praises Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

MIAMI - Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava commended the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.

"Over a year after the horrific acts of terror inflicted on Israel, and following months of terrible violence, we welcome the news that a ceasefire was reached and the remaining hostages will be released. We have prayed for an end to bloodshed, and today our prayers are answered," Levine Cava said.

Announced by President Joe Biden, the deal will reportedly "halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”

Under its terms, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in phase one of the ceasefire, which is expected to last 42 days. In exchange, Israel would release 100 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.

Two other phases are also being negotiated, but the ceasefire is not guaranteed to continue beyond the first phase. However, subsequent phases could bring an end to the war.

The deal comes after a week of intense negotiations brokered by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt. Envoys from President Biden's administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team were also part of the negotiations.

Trump recently said on Truth Social there would be "ALL HELL TO PAY" if hostages were not released by his inauguration date.

White House officials said the agreement could start as early as Sunday.

The announcement comes more than a year after Hamas launched a terrorist attack on the Jewish State on Oct. 7, 2023. The assault, the deadliest on Jews since the Holocaust, resulted in the murder of more than 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 250 hostages.

"My heart breaks for all the lives lost to devastating violence, and for all the families of those taken hostage and all those who were killed. We must never forget, and we honor the memory of all those who were lost, as we pray for their loved ones," Cava said. "Let this moment bring an end to Hamas's terror against the people of Israel as we uplift all those in Palestine striving for lasting peace."