Nearly two years after Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, members of South Florida's Jewish and Palestinian communities are sharing their hopes that peace talks can move forward—but only after hostages are released.

Local voices react to war's anniversary

Audra Berg said she has traveled to Israel several times since fighting broke out in Gaza. On one visit, she got close to an area that had been attacked near the Gaza Strip.

"It's frightening to see in real life what really happened there," Berg said.

The expressed cautious optimism now that Hamas has agreed to be part of a peace proposal with Israel, a deal that involves releasing all hostages held by both Hamas and Israel.

"There can be no concessions without seeing our hostages wh

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