GREENVILLE, S.C. —

Jewish congregations and Palestinians in the Upstate say they are cautiously optimistic about the U.S.-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas.

Mark Packer, the president of Congregation B'Nai Israel in Spartanburg, and Faisal Al-Masri, a Palestinian man living in the Upstate, celebrated the release of hostages and prisoners while acknowledging the fragility of past truces.

"As long as there's a conversation, rather than bullets flying, bombs exploding, it gives me reason for hope, but again, it's not naive hope," Packer said. "Now, their futures have been given back to them, but of course, it's heartbreaking for those who do not have their futures given back to them. Those who are, perished."

He noted that this includes both Israelis and Palestinians who have d

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