Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire Wednesday and groups from both sides in the Capital Region tell NewsChannel 13 they are now cautiously optimistic.

NewsChannel 13 spoke with Hank Greenberg from the Jewish Federation for Northeastern New York and Tom Ellis from the Palestinian Rights Committe.

Greenberg called it welcoming news.

“This has been a 15-month psychic siege for the Jewish community. The hostages have been ripped from their families on October 7th, and those that remain alive, have been held hostage for 15 months,” Greenberg said.

Tom Ellis who helped found the Palestinian Rights Committe more than 30 years ago said it gives him hope.

“It gives me plenty of hope, but I’m hoping that it will, that it will hold and that the Palestinians can be rebuilding their lives in Gaza, that, like I said to, so they can get some food and some sleep and some water and some medical care,” Ellis said.