NEWS: Sanders Statement on Ceasefire-Hostage Deal

WASHINGTON, January 15 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today released the following statement on the newly announced ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas:

Officials from the United States, Israel, Qatar, and Hamas say a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages has been reached.

This is welcome, long-overdue news.

Both sides must honor the deal and implement it as quickly as possible. The senseless killing must stop. The hostages must be released. The United Nations and other aid organizations must finally be allowed unfettered access to all areas of the Gaza Strip in order to provide the massive amounts of humanitarian aid that is desperately needed. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people are struggling to survive, lacking food, water, and medical care in the middle of winter. Innocent lives hang in the balance.

This is just the first step to restoring peace. The international community must insist that the ceasefire be sustained and formalized. A plan for rebuilding Gaza and establishing peaceful Palestinian governance of the area must be laid out. And there must be accountability for the many war crimes committed by both sides in this terrible conflict.