Obama calls Gaza ceasefire a new dawn for Peace

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed relief over the apparent progress toward ending the protracted conflict between Israel and Hamas, describing it as a long-awaited moment of hope for both Israelis and Palestinians after two years of devastating loss.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Obama said the prospect of peace and the return of hostages offered a much-needed ray of optimism following months of bloodshed.

“After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight,” Obama wrote.

He said the anticipated truce would not only reunite hostages with their families but also allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza “whose lives have been shattered.”

Beyond the ceasefire, Obama urged both sides to focus on long-term reconciliation and reconstruction, stressing that rebuilding Gaza must go hand in hand with recognising the “common humanity and basic rights of both peoples.”

He emphasised that achieving a lasting peace would require determination from Israelis and Palestinians, backed by sustained international support, including from the United States.

The former president’s remarks come amid renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing the two-year conflict to a definitive close and paving the way for stability in the region.