PRESS CONTACT: Jake Green, National Council of Jewish Women, jgreen@ncjw.org

WASHINGTON — With the news of a multilateral agreement to release some hostages and pause combat in the Israel-Hamas war for four days, National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz shared the following statement:

“National Council of Jewish Women is thrilled at least 50 hostages, including 30 children, will be reunited with their loved ones after enduring a month and half in Hamas captivity. The act of liberating captives, known in Jewish tradition as the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim, is not only a moral imperative but a profound expression of our commitment to humanity. 

“In addition to the release of hostages, this agreement is a welcome development as it also allows for medical assistance and humanitarian aid for the hostages remaining in captivity and the Palestinian families suffering from the ongoing war in Gaza.

“While we mark this significant moment, let it be clear that releasing 20 percent of the hostages is insufficient. Our celebration remains incomplete until all remaining hostages held by Hamas are reunited with their loved ones. The individuals still held captive are not statistics — they are real people with aspirations, dreams and families. Their prolonged captivity stands as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, necessitating a robust global response.

“We continue to mourn the loss of Palestinian and Israeli life, and we will continue to dream of — and work toward — a world in which everyone lives in safety and security.”

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is the oldest Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 210,000 grassroots advocates and 50 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state and national levels. We approach our work through the intersections of gender, economic and racial justice to center those most impacted in a uniquely Jewish way. Learn more at NCJW.org — and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.