J Street is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence this weekend both on Israel’s northern front with Hezbollah and in Gaza. Our hearts break for the 12 young people killed in an attack on the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights and we send our deepest condolences to their families and community. While Hezbollah has denied responsibility for this attack, the organization is clearly behind the many months of attacks on Israel’s north since October 8 and runs the risk of provoking an all-out war.

J Street is also deeply alarmed by reports that strikes in Gaza may have killed dozens of people, including, tragically, many women and children. While these attacks were efforts to hit Hamas targets, the continued loss of civilian life and the lack of any progress toward Prime Minister Netanyahu’s illusory goal of “total victory” are unacceptable. All energies must now be focused on the beyond-overdue negotiated ceasefire that stops the fighting, frees the hostages, surges humanitarian aid, and ends the suffering of civilians on all sides.

The Prime Minister’s political mission to the United States is now over – notable mostly for the lack of serious words about the path to ending the conflict and the political cleavages he continues to deepen.

We urge the American, Egyptian and Qatari mediators hard at work this weekend to keep pressing for an agreement to avoid further loss of innocent life, de-escalate tensions in the region, and ensure security for the Israelis, Palestinians and Lebanese impacted.