Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have told the BBC they are hopeful that US President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war will bring their loved ones home. Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among 20 hostages held in Gaza who are still believed to be alive, said she had woken on Saturday with a sense of hope and expectation, but also fear that something will go wrong. It is a fragile situation and we don't want to be disappointed again. And yet I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and I can hug [him] again. Nimrod, now aged 21, was a 19-year-old soldier when he was kidnapped by Hamas near the Gaza border in the 7 October 2023 attacks. In total, 251 people were taken hostage that day, and some 1,200 others were killed.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages but said it wanted further negotiations on a number of key points outlined in the US peace plan. After Hamas submitted its response, Trump posted on Truth Social I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE, urging Israel to immediately cease bombardments of Gaza to ensure a safe and quick release of the hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt soon.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to support families of hostages, chanting you're not alone, we're with you while demanding their loved ones' return. Amid the hope surrounding the potential release of hostages, families expressed their fears about the outcome of ongoing negotiations and the need for decisive action. As discussions continue, the hope of reuniting with loved ones must be balanced with the harsh realities of war.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages but said it wanted further negotiations on a number of key points outlined in the US peace plan. After Hamas submitted its response, Trump posted on Truth Social I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE, urging Israel to immediately cease bombardments of Gaza to ensure a safe and quick release of the hostages. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt soon.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv to support families of hostages, chanting you're not alone, we're with you while demanding their loved ones' return. Amid the hope surrounding the potential release of hostages, families expressed their fears about the outcome of ongoing negotiations and the need for decisive action. As discussions continue, the hope of reuniting with loved ones must be balanced with the harsh realities of war.
