Hope and Fear Persist for Hostage Families Amidst Hamas's Response to Gaza Peace Plan
Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are experiencing a mix of hope and anxiety following Hamas's response to the proposed peace plan. Negotiations are expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days, raising anticipation but also concern that a deal may falter.
Trump's Peace Plan and Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is "preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages". Trump himself expressed optimism on Truth Social, calling for an immediate halt to the bombing of Gaza to ensure the safe return of the hostages. Hamas has agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages, both living and dead, contingent on further negotiations on key points in the US peace plan.
The Human Cost of Hostage Crisis
The hostage crisis stems from the October 7, 2023 attacks, during which 251 people were taken hostage and approximately 1,200 were killed. Individuals like Nimrod, a then 19-year-old soldier, remain captive, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty. Viki Cohen, Nimrod's mother, described waking with both "hope and expectation" and "fear that something will go wrong."
Voices from Tel Aviv: Demanding Action and Hope
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to end the war and bring the hostages home. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held captive, passionately pleaded with Netanyahu, emphasizing that the hostages are not mere pawns, but cherished individuals whose lives hang in the balance. Liran Berman, demanding the return of his brothers Gali and Ziv, stated, "With hope comes fear - will the deal be signed? Will I ever see my brothers again?".
Former Hostages Urge for a Swift Resolution
Omer Shem Tov, a former hostage abducted from the Nova festival, directly appealed to Trump to ensure the enforcement of the deal. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We have to make sure this deal happens. We have to make sure Hamas signs it. It's been two years. The world is watching." As the families and former hostages addressed the crowd, Netanyahu announced his hope to secure the hostages' release "in the coming days."
Contrasting Emotions: Optimism and Lingering Fears
Udi Goren, whose cousin Tal Haimi was killed and his body taken to Gaza, expressed optimism due to President Trump's involvement. Other families echoed this sentiment, with the family of Eitan Horn stating that for the first time in months, they dared to believe that Eitan's release was near. However, they cautioned that "Our hope is tempered by great fear," adding, "Until they return, they remain starved, tortured and in constant danger of death."
Learning from Past Missed Opportunities
Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage and later found dead, highlighted the importance of seizing this opportunity. He noted that "Hamas gave an answer - they had some agreements with Trump's plan and some disagreements, but the main thing for me is that they're willing to go through with this." He emphasized the potential of this stage to bring the war to an end, underscoring the need to avoid another missed chance for a ceasefire.
