Ottawans hold their breath as Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins [Video]

Ottawans with families caught up in the Israel-Hamas war have been waiting for a recently signed truce to come into effect, with news of the deal stirring up a mix of emotions for those who’ve watched the 15-month conflict tear their communities apart.  

Israel’s cabinet ratified the ceasefire agreement Saturday morning, with Qatar’s foreign minister posting on social media that the ceasefire would start at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET) on Sunday.

Carleton University professor Timea Spitka spent roughly 20 years in the area — including in both west and east Jerusalem — where she worked with Oxfam and taught classes on gender, international affairs and conflict resolution. 

Given her research into violent conflicts, Spitka said she was horrified when her eldest son was drafted into the Israel Defence Forces as a medic — but said he’s been able to avoid the conflict thus far.

“I am hopeful about the ceasefire deal. That’s the one part I am hopeful about,” Spitka said, …