J Street Welcomes Release of Three More Hostages Under Ceasefire Deal As Negotiations on Phase II Commence

Washington DC – J Street is relieved that three more hostages, Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami, and Eli Sharabi, have been released today, but we are also deeply distressed by the condition of three men, demonstrating the devastating toll of 16 months of captivity. We feel profound pain  as some of these men return to families that will never be made whole again, with children, siblings and partners killed on October 7 or while in captivity.

Today’s release is a stark reminder of how critical it is for negotiations to be fast-tracked so that all hostages return home at the earliest possible moment. As we watch families in Gaza picking up the pieces and returning to their communities – and see aid finally reaching desperate families – we recognize how essential this is for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

We are acutely aware of how fragile this ceasefire remains. While we welcome news that negotiations on Phase II have begun, we are deeply concerned by comments and actions by the Netanyahu and Trump Administrations which threaten to bring down the deal and return us to anguish, war and devastation for all. Comments from the Prime Minister and right-wing coalition members which suggest that they will refuse to accept a permanent cessation of hostilities continue to undercut the ability of Israel’s own negotiating team to make progress. 

President Trump’s incendiary suggestion to “take over” Gaza and forcibly remove its 2 million residents would be a direct violation of the ceasefire framework, which is designed to press the parties to hammer out post-war governance plans in Gaza. Similarly, efforts to cut foreign assistance and shut down USAID threaten humanitarian and peacebuilding projects in the region.

We urge the Trump Administration to recognize the impact of their actions and statements, reverse course, and apply all available leverage to press the parties to negotiate workable outcomes in Phases II and III of the deal. We cannot risk reigniting this horrific war. Every hostage must come.