Israeli hostage families caught between hope and despair

15/1/2025 6:21

The ceasefire deal that is close to being agreed in Gaza has left families of the 98 hostages still held in the enclave facing a mix of hope, apprehension, and, in some cases, anger as negotiators make a final push to seal an agreement.



The draft proposal shared with Israel and Hamas by Qatari mediators would see 33 children, women and older men, as well as sick and wounded hostages released during the first phase of an extended ceasefire. Israel believes most of these hostages on the list are alive but has not had confirmation from Hamas.



In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would be released and, 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.