ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — After more than a year of war and many months of negotiations, Israel and Hamas have reached a deal that could mean the end of the war in Gaza. Organizations in Rochester told News 8 they hope this leads to permanent peace. As soon as Sunday, Hamas could begin handing over hostages to Israel. The agreement aims for a temporary ceasefire with the final phase potentially ending the war if conditions are met. "What we hope, the inevitable hope - is that this will be a lasting and permanent peace for all people in the Middle East, which is, I think, what we really all want to see in the end," Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester CEO Meredith Dragon told News 8. This brutal conflict was sparked by a Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Hundreds were massacred. More than 250 others were kidnapped and taken into Gaza. In retaliation, Israel's military has obliterated much of the tiny strip in its avowed goal to destroy Hamas. But after 466 days, more than 46,600 men, women, and children have also been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry — with thousands more believed to be buried under the rubble. Dragon says a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is something so many have been longing for. "I think since Oct. 7, it's really almost unimaginable the kind of pain and suffering that people have been going through, particularly the hostages," Dragon said. In the agreed deal, phase one would last 42 days, with Hamas releasing 33 hostages including women, the elderly, and the sick. In exchange, Israel would set free dozens of Palestinian detainees for each. The concern is both parties upholding the agreement. "Historically, Israel has violated terms of ceasefires and agreements before, and so it's just, it's, it's a lot of hope, but at the same time, a lot of fear, a lot of skepticism," Sarah, a University of Rochester student told News 8. "We hear that this deal isn't even supposed to be implemented until Sunday," Iman Abed with the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights said. "And so, that craze is that that raises a huge level of fear, concern - understanding that there's a potential that Israel may continue bombarding people and doing the most that it can in this moment before this deal gets upheld." One message shared: The need for a permanent ceasefire. "This has been going on for decades, and a ceasefire is just the first step," Sarah said. "There has to be an end to the occupation. There has to be a lift on the siege that's happening in Gaza." "Israel is forever changed. Gaza is forever changed, and yet, we need to figure out how to move on and how to allow people to live in safety and security," Dragon said. The agreement still needs to be approved by Israel's parliament but is expected to go into effect in the coming days.