Caught between hope and despair for the past 15 months, families of Israeli hostages have welcomed the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which promises the release of dozens kidnapped by the militant group.
Yet, as they celebrate, relatives of the individuals abducted by Hamas in the attack that triggered the conflict on 7 October 2023 expressed concerns for the future of those who will remain in captivity.
Hundreds of people, including families of Israeli hostages and their friends, gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate. Israel’s security cabinet is set to vote on the deal Thursday morning. After that, lists of Palestinian security prisoners to be freed will be published, to enable petitions against their release to the high court. The court is widely expected not to intervene in the deal.
“We anxiously await the reunions of families with their loved ones,” said a statement shared by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum following news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a deal. “The next few weeks will bring a wave of emotions, but one thing remains unwavering—we will stand by the families until the very last hostage is brought home.”
Sharone Lifschitz, whose father Oded is being held hostage, told the AP she was stunned and grateful but would not believe it until she sees them come home.
“I can’t wait to see them coming back to their families. I’m so desperate to see them if by some miracle my father has survived,” the London-based film-maker said.
The deal is reported to involve a phased ceasefire. In the first, 42-day phase, Hamas would release 33 hostages, including children, women – including female soldiers – and over-50s. In exchange, Israel would release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas, according to the Associated Press, and 30 for other hostages.
But the hostages will not be released simultaneously. According to official sources reported by Israeli media, the first three hostages are set to be released on the first day of the deal’s implementation. Subsequent releases will see four individuals freed on the seventh day, followed by a liberation of three hostages every seven days thereafter, culminating in the release of the final 14 in the last week.
If all goes well, negotiators will begin talking about freeing the remaining civilian men and soldiers, as well as the bodies of dead hostages, as part of a package of measures to end the 15-month war.
Some people whose friends are still held hostage said they would not trust the deal until all have returned.
“I don’t trust Hamas, don’t trust them at all to bring them back,” said Vered Froner. She and her mother hid in a safe room for 17 hours in Nachal Oz kibbutz during the 7 October attacks.
She said she would prefer to have had all of the hostages return at once rather than a phased approach.
After 16 days, talks would begin on a second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of other survivors among the 61 remaining hostages, including military-age men, and the bodies of those who have died.
The hopes of the families have been raised and dashed numerous times since the 7 October 2023 attack. During the temporary ceasefire of November 2023, 81 Israelis held in Gaza were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas, 94 people are believed to be held in Gaza. However, Israeli and western intelligence services estimate that at least one-third of them have died.
The families of the seven American hostages still held in Gaza expressed their deep gratitude for news that Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage deal on Wednesday.
“The coming days and weeks will be just as painful for our families as the entirety of our loved ones’ horrific ordeals,” the families’ statement said. “That is why we ask all parties to stay committed to this agreement and every phase until it is fully implemented and everyone has been returned.”
“It’s important to remember that while this development is encouraging, it is long overdue, and until the hostages are safely home, we cannot rest easy,” Moshe Emilio Lavi – whose brother-in-law, Omri Miran, is among the hostages – told the Guardian. “The release of even a few hostages brings hope, but it also underscores the painful reality that many will remain behind, including, most likely, my brother-in-law. We are overjoyed for the families who will soon reunite with their loved ones, but the work does not stop here.”
The forum said the deal is the result of the families’ relentless determination “to fight for their loved ones, the public’s steadfast support, and the critical backing of the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration.”
“We must continue to fight tirelessly for the freedom of those still held captive, both in Israel and through advocacy efforts worldwide,” says Lavi.
“Their lives and futures depend on our unwavering commitment to bringing them back safely. The world must not look away until every single hostage is free and a permanent resolution to the ongoing crisis is achieved, for the sake of both Israelis and Gazans.”
