West Midlands support group have "mixed emotions" on ceasefire in Gaza

The West Midlands Friends of Israel group have warned that the ceasefire in Gaza is not the end of the conflict, as hostages are released from both sides.

Keith Rowe is Jewish and volunteers at the West Midlands version of the support groups that can be seen up-and-down the country.

"In this particular time, there is no doubt there has to be support groups across regions, like the West Midlands," he said.

What has come out of the ceasefire in Gaza already?

The first three hostages released from Gaza arrived in Israel on Sunday for tearful reunions with families, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold following 15 months of war.

Israel later started to release 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, as a coach carrying women and children exited the gates of Ofer prison, just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Keith said hostages being released was something to celebrate:

"We are filled with absolute joy. They seem in relatively good health so far. We hope that is the case for the rest of the hostages, who will hopefully be released very soon," he said.

What are the worries about the ceasefire in Gaza?

Despite that, the region's support group is reminding people in the West Midlands that a ceasefire does not mean a complete end to the conflict.

"There are huge mixed emotions. It is not the final end of this chapter. There is a long way to go before a lasting peace can be achieved," said Keith.

The ceasefire ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war.

This is just the second ceasefire in the war, longer and more consequential than a week-long pause in November 2023, with the potential to end the fighting for good.

Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of this ceasefire should begin in just over two weeks.

Major questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the first phase and how the rest of the hostages in Gaza will be freed.

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