🔗 Share this article

Relatives of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip have voiced optimism that President Trump's plan for ending the war will bring their family members back safely.

Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among 20 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza, said she awakened on the weekend with a feeling of "hope and anticipation", but also "fear that anything will fall through".

"It is a fragile situation and we hope not to be disappointed once more. And yet I remain optimistic that in the near future I will be reunited with my son and I can embrace him once more."

The young man, now twenty-one years old, was a 19-year-old military recruit when he was kidnapped by Hamas near the Gaza border during the October 7th attacks. Overall, 251 individuals were captured that date, and approximately 1,200 people were killed.

Recent Developments

On Friday, the group agreed to free every one of the outstanding Israeli captives - including surviving and deceased - but indicated it required further discussions on multiple critical points detailed in the American peace plan.

After the organization submitted its reply, the US President posted on social media "In my opinion they are ready for a lasting CEASEFIRE", as he urged Israel to "immediately halt the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Captives out securely and promptly!"

In a statement during the night, Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "preparing to right away implement the first phase of Trump's proposal for the prompt release of every hostages".

Family Reactions

Another family member, whose cousin Tal Haimi was fatally injured in the October 7th incidents and his body taken to Gaza where it is still held, said he was hopeful that a agreement would be reached.

"It appears President Trump taking firm action and getting everybody to support him, encompassing the Middle Eastern nations and the Israel's leader," he stated. "It's essential to make sure that there exists a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. At this moment is the time for action, not for words."

His sentiments were echoed by other hostage relatives on Saturday.

In a declaration, the family of hostage Eitan Horn said that for "the first time in numerous long and difficult months, our hearts dare to believe that the freedom of their relative - and of every one of the hostages [living and deceased] - may finally be near. That shortly, they will come home".

But, they added: "Our hope is tempered by great fear."

"Until they return, they remain deprived of food, tortured and in constant danger of death."

Previous Chances

Another relative described he understood too well what it signified to miss a opportunity for a ceasefire agreement.

His family member a relative was taken hostage from a community and remains found from a underground passage in Gaza months afterward. The Israeli military said she and several additional captives had been fatally injured just before its soldiers arrived at them.

"The development recently is that Hamas gave an answer - they had certain acceptances with the President's proposal and some disagreements, but the main thing for me is that they're prepared to proceed with this," he said. "We've had numerous other chances before that were lost" but this is a "very, very important phase in the procedure… and maybe gets us close to ending this conflict over with."

Negotiations between Israeli officials and the organization are now expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days.