WILX: Local reactions to the peace deal between Israel and Hamas

It started on Wednesday when Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed a note to President Donald Trump, who said, “We’re very close to a deal in the Middle East.”

A deal that many lawmakers have been waiting for, including Congressman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan).

“Well, I got to admit that I was excitedly relieved and optimistic about it,” he said. However, he did say he is remaining cautious. “Because we know that peace deals have been talked about before, and Hamas is not a trustworthy negotiator.”

The deal calls for the release of all hostages currently held in Gaza and the release of some Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The Israeli government will also withdraw its military to an agreed-upon point in the future.

Congressman Walberg said he’s hoping, “For humanity itself, and certainly for the Jewish people, that this will be a lasting peace.”

However, Eli Folts, a senior at Michigan State University and a member of the Hurriya Coalition, says there are still many questions left to ask.

“We’re hopeful that this is lasting, but at the same time, we really don’t know. Israel has shown their true colors multiple times that they’re willing to break that,” Folts said.

Although a deal has been agreed upon by both sides, the question of what will happen after the war is already being asked.

“[Israel has] destroyed the ways of living and being. There’s going to be just squalor in Palestine and Gaza until years, I mean just years to clear the rubble.”

Folts says Israel should be held accountable for its actions in the Middle East, and until then, there will be no true resolution to the war.