As a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began in Gaza on Jan. 19, halting 470 days of warfare, New England leaders and organizations are responding with mixed thoughts.

On Monday evening, the Israeli American Council along with the Combined Jewish Philanthropies and the Jewish Community Relations Council hosted a “Bring Them Home Now!: Hostage and Missing Families Forum” at the Boston Common, following the kidnapping of Israeli civilians by Hamas forces earlier this month.