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- Written by Amal Elhelw | KPTV12 Amal Elhelw | KPTV12
- Published: 24 November 2023 24 November 2023
PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - It’s been over a month since violence sparked back up in Israel and Palestine with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting they lost the ability to count Palestinian deaths. The last official report earlier this month exceeded 11,000 people, half of whom are children. It’s all a part of Israel’s military response to Hamas’ October 7th attack, where more than a thousand Israelis were killed and hundreds more taken hostage.
For weeks since the initial attack, world leaders have been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, a small piece of land home to 2.2 million people, that is about the size of Portland. On Tuesday, Israel agreed to a brief halt in the fighting to allow for the release of 50 Israeli hostages, as well as the release of 150 Palestinians being held in Israel. Some Oregon leaders were part of the call for a ceasefire, including Sen. Jeff Merkley. The senator said in a statement his decision to do so came after speaking with Oregonians who have ties to the region, including Nael Saker and Joel Beinin.
Read Amal Elhelw's report on KPTV12