The J Street community is overjoyed by the news that hostage Qaid Farhan al-Qadi, from the Arab Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel, is reuniting with family members following his rescue from Gaza. A father and husband has been returned to the arms of his family after more than 300 days of utter anguish.

The news comes after an incredibly difficult week, in which dozens more Palestinian civilians were killed, the bodies of six Israeli hostages were recovered, and the situation on Israel’s northern border intensified – putting millions of Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese civilians at risk. The longer this war continues, the greater the risk of more families in Gaza, Israel and across the region being torn apart by grief and loss.

Qaid’s brother Khatem al-Qadi emphasized the need for a ceasefire deal so that all of the hostage families can welcome their family members home alive. “They are still waiting to see their loved ones back today,” he said in an interview on Israeli television. “We are wishing for all of the hostages to be released and for there to be a deal now.”

We at J Street agree and continue to stress that an immediate ceasefire deal remains the only way to ensure the safety and freedom of all hostages, end the devastation in Gaza, and avoid the growing risk of catastrophic regional escalation. As we’ve heard hostage families reiterate time and again over the past weeks and months, the White House must use all available political and diplomatic leverage to bring both sides to seal the deal immediately.