Americans for Peace Now – like millions of Israelis and Palestinians, and others worldwide – is anxiously hoping
that Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip will follow Israel’s suit and accept the
Egyptian-proposed ceasefire agreement. The agreement was proposed Monday night. Israel’s government welcomed it
last night, and officially accepted it today at a Cabinet meeting, and held its fire by 9:00 AM local time (2:00 AM
Eastern time), but a barrage of rockets from Gaza continued. Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad intensified
their rocket fire, arguing that Egypt announced the ceasefire without consulting with their leadership. In
response, Israel too resumed fire and continued bombing the Gaza Strip.
We hope that Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip will accept the ceasefire, stop its rocket
attacks on Israel and thus prevent further escalation.
Washington, DC – Americans for Peace Now (APN) welcomes news of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas,
brokered by Egypt’s government. APN urges both Israel and Hamas to adhere to the ceasefire and to find ways
to prevent future security escalations such as the current one. APN further urges Israelis, Palestinians and the
Obama administration to resume diplomatic efforts to return to the negotiating table in order to achieve a viable,
lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement with security for both sides.
APN's President and CEO Debra DeLee said: "Once again, following unnecessary bloodshed, destruction, terror and
pain, Israel and Hamas chose diplomacy - the same kind of diplomacy that we at APN have been urging. This
devastation, and the long-term impact it has on Israelis and Palestinians alike, can be obviated if both sides
choose diplomacy now to pave the road for future Israeli-Palestinian peace.