TEL AVIV, Israel — The ceasefire declared between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday has sparked a glimmer of hope among the families of hostages and weary Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, yet the situation remains dire.
Families waiting for news about their loved ones remain in limbo, uncertain of their fates as they await future negotiations regarding the next steps of the agreement. In Gaza, many families who have been displaced are unsure whether their homes still stand, with numerous individuals trapped beneath debris and many more missing following confrontations with Israeli forces. The devastation across vast swathes of land is palpable, leaving areas uninhabitable, and it may take decades to restore what has been lost.
In the days leading up to the announcement, relatives of the hostages were filled with anxiety, fearing the worst while desperately clinging to hope. “These days are horrible for us,” expressed Yafit Zailer, who was overcome with emotion thinking about her relatives, Shiri and Yarden Bibas, along with their two small children, Ariel and Kfir, after enduring 15 months of captivity. “I want to know already if they’re coming back… if they’re OK or not. I want to hold my cousin in my arms and celebrate the biggest celebration.”
Achieving this ceasefire is the result of extensive diplomacy from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, aimed at halting the conflict that erupted after Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians. However, if discussions falter regarding the subsequent, more challenging phase of the ceasefire deal, the conflict may erupt again, leading to further loss of life and prolonging the uncertainty for hostage families.
The Bibas family, which includes the young boys, Ariel and Kfir—who was only nine months old during the attack—has become emblematic of the broader anguish felt throughout Israel regarding the fate of hostages. Kfir, in particular, has captured national sentiment, symbolizing the helplessness faced by families due to the ongoing crisis. The Bibas family was initially slated to be released during an earlier ceasefire in November 2023, but that effort collapsed after just one week. Recently, a list has emerged detailing 33 hostages eligible for release in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the ongoing negotiations.
Daniel Lifshitz is also waiting on news about his grandfather, who, at 84, is being held captive along with friends. His grandmother had been released shortly after the initial assault. Lifshitz noted that any agreement would only provide a temporary sense of relief. “Another roller coaster is coming — is he alive or not? Should I prepare for a funeral or should I prepare for a celebration?” he reflected.
Currently, around 100 hostages remain in captivity, comprising both civilians and military personnel, alongside around a dozen foreign nationals from various countries. Israeli military assessments suggest that a significant portion of these hostages may already be deceased. The ceasefire plan comprises several stages, starting with the release of women, children, the elderly, and wounded individuals in exchange for hundreds of detained Palestinian women and children, with subsequent phases focusing on male captives.
Amidst these developments, concern grows for families whose loved ones are not included in the initial phase of the release. For instance, Herut Nimrodi’s son, Tamir, a soldier taken from his base, remains at risk of being left behind in the event the ceasefire crumbles. Hamas has stated it will not free any remaining hostages without a cessation of hostilities, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to sustaining military actions until Hamas’s operational capabilities are utterly dismantled.
For displaced Palestinians, the urgency for peace has escalated, as many endure harsh conditions in makeshift camps and live in constant fear of renewed Israeli attacks. “Last night, the shelling and bombing here didn’t stop for a moment,” reported Sulaiman Qasem, who works with a medical charity in Gaza City, describing the intense chaos. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the war has claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians, with women and children making up more than half of the casualties.
The humanitarian crisis has deepened significantly, as widespread devastation has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, pushing many to the brink of famine. Rola Saqer shared her struggles, noting her daughter’s birth coincided with the war’s onset, and the family has since faced daily challenges in securing food and medical care while living in close quarters with relatives.
The proposed ceasefire aims to increase humanitarian aid and provides a potential pathway for some families to return home, provided their homes still exist. “We have no strength left,” expressed Rami Abu Shera, reflecting on the challenging reality of living away from home. “We are waiting for there to be no blood, no killings, no wounded, no destruction, no displacement. It is enough,” he said, echoing the desire for an end to the ongoing tragedy.
