Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal leaves some in Jackson Hole relieved, yet skeptical

Leaders of Jackson Hole for Free Palestine and Jackson Hole Jewish Community are hopeful, but not without reservations.

National outlets are reporting Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to end fighting in Gaza.

Dan Sheehan helped organize Jackson Hole for Free Palestine when the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. Since then, the group has held monthly protests on the Town Square with one big ask: an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

That may be delivered Jan. 19, when a six-week ceasefire and hostage release is expected to begin, pending approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet

As Town Square protests continued, Sheehan felt the group garnered more engagement from community members.

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“I think the one small silver lining from the last 15 months is that very few people can say now that they’re not aware of the conflict,” he said.

Mary Grossman, the executive director of the Jackson Hole Jewish Community, has similarly mixed feelings on the agreement.

“Like a lot of Israelis, I think there is both hope and a lot of skepticism,” Grossman said.

The religious group has held space to mourn deaths and hosted educational events, like showing a documentary and a talk from a visiting Israeli spokesperson.

But Grossman still worries anti-semitism remains a problem. 

“I’m skeptical any attitudes towards Israelis or Jews will change after this,” Grossman said in reference to Jackson’s community. “It seems like it has only entrenched the haters.”

Sheehan said even if the ceasefire holds, Gaza will still need aid. 

“I think there’s an awful lot to be done and an awful lot still undecided and unconfirmed,” Sheehan said. “But [this is] the first meaningful sign of hope, I think, in a long time.”

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About Dante Filpula Ankney

Dante Filpula Ankney comes to KHOL as a lifelong resident of the Mountain West. He made his home on the Eastern Montana prairies before moving to the Western Montana peaks to study journalism and wilderness studies. Dante has found success producing award-winning print, audio and video stories for a variety of publications, including a stint as a host at Montana Public Radio. Most recently, he spent a year teaching English in Bulgaria through a Fulbright Fellowship. When he isn’t reporting, you can find Dante outside scaling rocks, sliding across snow or winning a game of cribbage.

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