Riverdale Leaders Welcome Gaza Ceasefire and Call for Lasting Peace

After two years of fighting in Gaza, a peace deal has finally been brokered.

Local leaders across Riverdale are now speaking out in support of what could be the start of a new chapter in the region.

On Oct. 10, a ceasefire was agreed to between the Israeli government and Hamas. The release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza followed the agreement and marks a potential turning point in the ongoing crisis. While details continue to emerge, the deal represents the most significant pause in violence since the conflict began in October 2023.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson acknowledged the pain and anxiety the war has caused for residents across New York City, including many in Riverdale’s large Jewish community.

“The toll of this war has caused deep pain and suffering to families and communities around the world,” Gibson said in a statement. “In the Bronx and throughout New York City, we stand with our Jewish neighbors and families who may be mourning, feeling fearful, or hurting during this time. We continue to pray for peace and safety for our Jewish and Palestinian communities.”

Riverdale is home to several synagogues and Jewish institutions. Community leaders and elected officials have frequently spoken out about the war and its toll on civilians on both sides.

One of those leaders is Rabbi Dr. Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, a former rabbi of the Riverdale Jewish Center, who called for moral clarity regarding the war back in early September to The Press.

He sees the current deal as a potential path to peace not just for Gaza, but for the Middle East as a whole.

“Trump pulled off an incredible accomplishment,” Greenberg said. “I give him credit. I am not a Trump voter or supporter, but in this case, I don’t think anybody else could have done it. I think if it succeeds, I think it will go far beyond Gaza. It will open the door to multiple agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. It opens the door to a restructuring of the Middle East.” 

The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas, the governing authority of Gaza, attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. In the responding military offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 169,600 injured as of Oct. 6, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

The ceasefire, which went into effect earlier this month, includes the release of remaining hostages and a halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas. While Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz noted the need to ensure all parts of the agreement are upheld, optimism and gratitude remain the prevailing tone among local leaders.

“We still await the return of the remains of the rest of the hostages, whose deaths these terrorists are responsible for. I’ve always said that peace can begin once all the hostages are released,” Dinowitz said. “I am relieved and encouraged that another ceasefire, hopefully the final one, is in place, and the killing will stop. If this agreement holds up, it could be a truly historic event.”

The next step is ensuring both sides remain compliant with the terms of the ceasefire, something both Israel and Hamas have publicly challenged in recent days.

While both sides continue to raise concerns over the current peace agreement, there are some who are just thrilled to not see the loss of life continue to skyrocket as it has over the last two years. 

“It’s a relief at this point,” Greenberg said. “It’s hard to predict [what will happen]. It’s shaky, but I believe it’s going to stick.”

In Riverdale, where many residents have family or cultural ties to Israel, the announcement has prompted both relief and reflection. Leaders say the community remains focused on healing and on supporting peace efforts abroad.

Recent remarks by Greenberg and Dinowitz reflect a broader local push for compassion toward both Jewish and Palestinian communities — a message that continues to echo across a borough that has hosted rallies, interfaith gatherings, and vigils throughout the two-year war.

For many in Riverdale, the ceasefire represents a long-awaited moment of hope after years of grief and uncertainty. Whether this proves to be a true turning point remains to be seen.

At the very least, leaders around the community believe that turning point has been reached for millions around the globe.