21 News talked via Zoom with Dr. Suhad Hadi of the Arab American Community Center and Bonnie Burdman of the Greater Youngstown Jewish Federation.

Hadi told us the last ditch efforts to extend the truce have signaled a shift in how the situation is approached, particularly by Secretary of State Blinken and President Biden.

Burdman agrees, and says as she has all along that the only acceptable outcome is the dismantling and complete surrender of Hamas - since its charter explicitly contains a "complete eradication of Israel".

"It's been nice to see a little bit more of an effort being made in bilateral discussions, as it seems things in the past have been more unilateral," said Hadi. "I want to see a continuing of the bilateral discussions, I want to see continued release of the hostages that are Palestinian as well as the hostages that are Israeli."

"In order for there to be a full peace in the region, Hamas must go," said Burdman. "And we've talked about how the Palestinian people themselves have been held hostage by Hamas, and it'll be better for them and it'll be better for all countries in the region."

Both women tell 21 News that no one should be held prisoner to the politics of a situation like this.
They say the best thing to have come from the ceasefire, however short it may end up being, is for hostages to be freed and able to come home.