JERUSALEM — In Israel, a somber funeral took place on Friday for Tsachi Idan, one of the last hostages whose remains were returned following the initial stage of a ceasefire between Hamas militants and Israel. This solemn event coincided with negotiations over a possible second phase aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza and facilitating the return of the remaining hostages.
Idan, a 49-year-old passionate soccer supporter, was commemorated with a procession that began at a football stadium in Tel Aviv, culminating in a private burial ceremony. Idan had been taken from Kibbutz Nahal Oz during an October 7, 2023, attack orchestrated by Hamas that ignited the current war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Idan was killed while in captivity.
His body was one of four returned by Hamas on Thursday in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners—part of a planned swap concluding the first phase of the ceasefire initiated in January. Idan’s family told of their harrowing experience, with his eldest daughter, Maayan, tragically killed as militants attacked their home. An unsettling live broadcast by Hamas on social media showed members of the Idan family being held hostage.
On Israeli radio, Idan’s sister, Noam Idan ben Ezra, praised her brother’s resilience, recounting how he nearly secured his freedom during a brief ceasefire the previous November. She expressed frustration, feeling her brother was abandoned first by being kidnapped and again when diplomatic efforts failed.
As the first ceasefire phase neared its conclusion, families of hostages remaining in Gaza intensified calls on Netanyahu to secure their loved ones’ freedom. Reports from Israel suggest that 32 of the 59 remaining hostages in Gaza have died, raising concerns for those still alive amid disturbing accounts from recently freed captives.
Eli Sharabi, one of the recently released hostages, described severe conditions, including being chained and deprived of adequate food or water, in a candid interview on Israeli television. After his release, Sharabi learned of his family’s fate during the October attack.
The anticipated second phase of the ceasefire aims to negotiate an end to the conflict, involving the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the repatriation of any surviving hostages. Discussions in Cairo are underway, involving officials from Israel, Qatar, and the United States, focusing on terms for continuing the truce and improving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The coming days are pivotal, urged United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as he called on both parties to honor their commitments.
The initial phase of the ceasefire saw 33 hostages, including eight bodies, returned in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu has pledged to secure the release of all hostages and dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure, a stance supported by the U.S. administration. However, the path to achieving these goals without reigniting conflict remains unclear.
As the Israeli military campaign has taken a substantial toll with over 48,000 Palestinians reported killed, the region faces severe humanitarian concerns, including massive population displacement and demolished infrastructure.
Amidst the backdrop of a battered Gaza, residents began preparations for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, striving to maintain traditions of fasting, charity, and community celebrations, despite the challenging circumstances.
“People’s lives have been enormously disrupted, but faith persists,” reflected Gaza City resident Nasser Shoueikh, underscoring both the trials faced and the enduring spirit of hope among the population as they mark the sacred month.
Final Hostage Laid to Rest as Ceasefire Talks Begin
