Local Jewish community leaders expressed joy and mixed emotion Monday as surviving Israeli hostages were released by Hamas amid the signing of a peace plan to end the more than two-year war in Gaza.

Hamas released 20 remaining living Israeli hostages and Israel started to free hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons, as world leaders met in Egypt for the signing of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

“Certainly, we’re very happy that finally, the 20 surviving hostages were released. It’s been two years and coming and it’s unimaginable what they’ve endured over the last two years, but we saw a number of them today who looked like they’re in relatively good shape,” said Jeff Lieberman, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.

“It’s really exciting that

See Full Page