<<<DO YOU BELIEVE A LASTING CEASEFIRE IN GAZA IS POSSIBLE?>>> 

John,

Two years ago this week, the world watched in horror as Hamas carried out the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. More than 1,200 people were murdered and over 250 were taken hostage. For many, the trauma of that day has never faded. 

This week, thanks in no small part to American leadership and the creative diplomacy of President Trump, the last of the hostages taken may finally be coming home. 

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a deal that includes a phased ceasefire, the release of captives, and a path toward ending the war. This marks the first time Hamas has accepted a signed agreement with fixed deadlines and clear enforcement mechanisms. 

The families of those returning hostages are the ones this moment is really about. For them, this is the long-awaited return of loved ones and the restoration of lives that were torn apart. They deserve our full attention and our hope that this agreement holds. Likewise, this deal offers the promise of relief for the Palestinians in Gaza who have been forced to live under the iron fist of Hamas and who have endured so much suffering. 

This deal, brokered with strong backing from President Trump and key regional partners, stands apart from previous efforts in several important ways. 

The agreement includes a 24-hour ceasefire, followed by the release of hostages within 72 hours. Israel has committed to repositioning troops and expanding humanitarian access to Gaza. In return, Hamas is required to begin disarming and eventually relinquish control of the territory to a transitional authority supported by regional and international actors. 

What makes this plan different is not just its structure, but the seriousness with which it is being treated. The United States is leading the formation of a new multinational security coordination force, with Egypt, Turkey, and other partners playing active roles. Israel has endorsed the plan. So have Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, an alignment that was unthinkable just a few years ago. 

This is not a permanent resolution, but only the beginning of what will be a long and uncertain process. Hamas has not agreed to the full disarmament terms laid out in the U.S. framework, and that remains the single greatest obstacle to lasting peace. But for the first time in a long time, there is a visible path forward, one built on regional cooperation and a serious commitment to enforcement. 

It is also a reminder of something deeper: American leadership still matters. This deal became possible because the United States, led by President Trump, used our strength and our track record of global involvement to tirelessly push for a plan that brought the region together. This comes at a moment when forces on the far left and right are increasingly calling for America to retreat from the world. But going down that road would be calamitous for America and for the world.  

As our late co-founder and National Chairman Senator Joe Lieberman once put it: 

“The real divide is between those who understand that our national interests require us to remain involved in the world and those who would rely on big oceans and hollow hopes to protect us.” 

There will be setbacks, and Hamas is not going away. But this moment, if it holds, could mark the beginning of a new chapter to take shape for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, one pointed toward a better future. 

I hope you will take a moment to reflect on what this deal means, and where it might lead. 

Dan Webb

No Labels Board

New No Labels National Leaders Announcement

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 6:30 PM ET

We invite you to join us by Zoom for a major announcement from No Labels. We will be introducing two new National Leaders who are stepping up to help lead our work of building trust in Congress. One will be familiar to many in our network. The other is a new face—bold, thoughtful, and committed to leading with principle.

No Labels Call with Leigh Ann Caldwell

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With the federal government shutdown entering its third week and both sides putting their own spin on who is to blame, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Chief Washington Correspondent at Puck, will give us an insider’s look at the dynamics on Capitol Hill and across Washington. Do not miss this chance to hear from one of Washington’s most respected and well-sourced journalists.

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