Families of hostages held in Gaza laud Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, but won't believe it until...

Relatives of the hostages held captive in Gaza welcomed the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas which came after their 15-month-long wait. The ceasefire agreement promises the release of dozens of hostages who were kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group during the October 7 attack in Southern Israel.

While the families celebrated the “historic deal,” they also expressed concerns about the future of who those will continue to remain in captivity after the agreement expires. On Wednesday, hundreds of people including families and friends of Israeli hostages gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate the confirmation of the truce between the two warring parties.

While the world lauds the deal, Israel’s security cabinet is set to vote on the agreement on Thursday. Following this, lists of Palestinian security prisoners to be freed will be published, to enable petitions against their release to the high court. Many of the family members of the hostages are now fearing that both the parliament and the court in Israel can cause hindrance 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," the statement further reads.

Many refuse to believe until they see their loved ones

While speaking to the Associated Press, Sharone Lifschitz, whose father Oded is being held hostage, said that 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 filmmaker said.

It is pertinent to note that the ceasefire deal will be followed in a phased manner. The first phase will comprise 42 days during which Hamas will release 33 hostages, including children, women – including female soldiers – and over 50s. In exchange, Israel is obligated to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas, according to the Associated Press, and 30 for other hostages.

With all the terms and conditions, some people whose friends are still being held hostage said that they would not believe the deal until they see their loved ones home. “I don’t trust Hamas, don’t trust them at all to bring them back,” Vered Froner told the Associated Press. She and her mother hid in a safe room for 17 hours in the Nachal Oz kibbutz during the 7 October attacks.

She insisted that she would prefer to have had all of the hostages return at once rather than a phased approach. As per the ceasefire deal, both Israel and Hamas agreed that 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.

With inputs from the Associated Press.