The head of the international organization said an agreement would be essential for regional stability and security.
The head of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) has expressed support for mediators working to reach an agreement to free the remaining captives in Gaza.
Palestinian fighters captured about 250 people in the October 7 attack in southern Israel, in which more than 1,100 people were killed. Of those captured, 105 were released in a deal with Hamas, but about 100 prisoners remain in Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war on Gaza.
Ronald Lauder, the president of the U.S.-based WJC, said in a statement that he was grateful to “all parties involved in the effort to free all remaining hostages” and acknowledged the role played by Qatar and Egypt, alongside the United States, in securing the captives’ release.
“As has already been recognized by many members of the international community, particularly the Qatari leadership, which has devoted considerable time and effort to securing the release of all hostages and providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, this is essential to regional stability and security,” he said.
The statement comes ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
Mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire are underway, and US media reports say the White House is preparing to present a new proposal to end the war.
In a televised appearance last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed his demand that Israel maintain military control over Gaza’s southern border area with Egypt – known as the Philadelphia Corridor – despite opposition from Palestinians and Egyptians.
This, along with its insistence on maintaining a military presence in the so-called Netzarim corridor that has cut Gaza in two, is seen as a major obstacle to a ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu’s position has hardened in recent months, despite massive protests across Israel calling for a deal to free the captives.
Protests have intensified since six prisoners were found dead in southern Gaza last week. Israeli police estimate that some 750,000 people took part in Saturday’s demonstrations.
