Family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Friday welcomed the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of the ceasefire agreement, which brought it closer to taking effect. But joy at the prospect of being reunited with loved ones was tempered by uncertainty over whether Israel and Hamas would adhere to the deal beyond its initial phase.
“The stomach turns and the heart spills onto the floor, but this is what we expected,” said Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandfather, Oded, 84, was among the more than 100 hostages held in Gaza.
Mr. Lifshitz said the involvement of President-elect Donald J. Trump and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, gave him confidence that the deal would be completed even before the cabinet gave approval. Now, Mr. Lifshitz said, the challenge is to ensure that Israel and Hamas respect the terms of the agreement and return all the hostages.
“I am confident that Trump and Witkoff will do what needs to be done,” Mr. Lifshitz said.
Although Mr. Lifshitz’s grandfather is among the hostages expected to be released in the initial phase of the deal, the family has no information about his well-being and does not know whether he is still envy.
“Preparing for a party and a funeral simultaneously is impossible,” Mr. Lifshitz said in an interview.
Doron Zexer, whose family hosted Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander during his military service in Israel, and who is a strong advocate for his release, said the news that the hostages would likely be freed was joyful, although Mr. Alexander was not. immediately among them.
“I will be the happiest man in the world to see one of the hostages return, but there is also immense concern about the second phase,” Mr. Zexer, 50, said.
Mr. Alexander is not among about 33 hostages, mostly women and elderly people, who are expected to be freed in the first six weeks of the deal.
Even as the deal moves forward, it is unclear to the families whether Israel intends to continue the deal beyond its initial phase and commit to a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, allowing the remaining hostages to return home.
“I know there are extremists, but I hope the prime minister doesn’t let them take charge,” Mr. Zexer said in an interview. “This must end with the release of the last of the remaining hostages. »
Earlier Friday, as ministers met to vote on the deal, families of the hostages gathered in a Tel Aviv public square known as Hostages Square to urge policymakers to support the deal.
Dozens of Israelis flocked to the square to support the families and seek comfort, some wearing shirts and pins that have become familiar symbols in Israel during the 15-month campaign for the hostages’ release.
During a press conference, Einav Zengauker, whose son, Matan, has been held captive in Gaza since the attack on October 7, 2023, said: “The signed agreement is a comprehensive agreement in several phases. Our role is to do everything to ensure that the agreement is fully implemented.
His son is not among those expected to be released in the initial phase of the deal. “This agreement must be followed through to the end to bring everyone home and end the war,” she said.
Michel Illouz, whose son Guy was taken alive in the attack and then killed in captivity, said Israel’s goal of defeating Hamas would not allow it to carry out the deal.
“It is impossible to crush Hamas and return the hostages; it’s a contradictory statement,” he said at the press conference.
He pleaded with Israeli leaders to accept the terms of the deal so that all captives – as well as the remains of those no longer alive – could return to Israel.
“I don’t have a grave where I can tell my eldest son how much I miss him,” Mr. Illouz said. “We have no hope of finding our children alive – we can only hope to receive a grave and try to move on. »
