Santa Fe Community Reflects on Hostage Release and Ceasefire Impact

Santa Fe residents with connections to the Middle East are processing the recent release of hostages and the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The developments follow a tumultuous period marked by intense violence and significant loss of life, particularly for Palestinian civilians. As families begin to return to Gaza, many are confronted with the destruction that has unfolded since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.

Said Assali, a Palestinian American living in Santa Fe, expressed his concern for displaced Palestinians returning to Gaza. “It’s not an equal situation between what Palestinians are experiencing and what Israelis are experiencing,” Assali stated. He emphasized that Palestinians are “still under occupation” and lack “freedom of movement.” As news of the ceasefire emerged, he noted the profound emotional weight on both sides, with residents here closely following developments that have impacted families across the region.

The ceasefire allows the return of the last 20 living Israeli hostages and the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. While some residents are feeling a moment of relief, others remain skeptical about the long-term implications of the ceasefire. In Santa Fe, a city located over 7,000 miles from Gaza, pro-Palestinian protests have been common, and discussions about the humanitarian consequences of the conflict are ongoing.

Mixed Emotions Amid Relief and Grief

On Monday, the faces of the returning hostages were displayed during celebrations in Tel Aviv. Alonet Zarum Zandan, who was in Israel visiting her elderly mother, described the emotional atmosphere. “People are crying; they’re hugging; they’re happy; they’re sad,” Zandan said. This mixture of emotions reflects the complex reality many Israelis face, as nearly every family has been touched by the events of October 7.

Zandan noted that while the return of the hostages is a cause for celebration, it is also a reminder of the lives lost during the conflict. “It’s joyous, but it’s also sad at the same time because we lost so many,” she remarked, acknowledging the toll taken on both communities. Her mother, who resides in an assisted living facility, has found the situation particularly distressing. “Every time a siren goes off, she thinks, ‘Do I get up? Do I have to get myself down to the shelter?'” Zandan explained.

Further complicating the narrative is the framing of the released Palestinians. Assali pointed out that media portrayals often refer to the Israelis as hostages while referring to the Palestinians as prisoners. “They are still being dehumanized in the media,” he said. “Why are they not considered hostages as well?”

Political Responses and Broader Implications

The political landscape surrounding the ceasefire has also drawn attention. Peter Beinart, an author and political commentator, is scheduled to speak in Santa Fe about his recent book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning. He reflected on the emotional release felt by many Jewish Israelis with the hostages’ return. “It was a huge emotional catharsis,” Beinart noted, while also suggesting that an earlier end to the assault on Gaza could have expedited the hostage release.

Donald Trump, former President of the United States, has highlighted the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and urged Middle Eastern allies to pursue peace in the region. Beinart expressed skepticism about framing this as a significant diplomatic achievement, stating, “Any American president had all of this power at their disposal.”

As residents of Santa Fe continue to grapple with the implications of the ceasefire, they are left to navigate a landscape marked by deep-seated emotions, political complexities, and a longing for lasting peace in the region. The community’s connections to both Israel and Palestine underscore the personal stakes involved as families on both sides strive for healing amidst the devastation.