TEL AVIV — Negotiations between Israeli officials and Hamas have resulted in a potential hostage-for-ceasefire agreement. The deal reportedly involves the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, many with criminal records, and an Israeli military withdrawal from parts of the Gaza Strip.
“I’m trying to catch my breath,” said Efrat Machikawa, niece of captive Gadi Moses, reacting to the news.
“We won’t be certain until we receive the call to see Gadi at the hospital. While I’m naturally optimistic, I’m trying to remain composed because we’ve been so close to similar deals before, like the one where my aunt Margalit was released,” Machikawa explained.
In November 2023, a week-long ceasefire led to the release of 105 hostages from Gaza.
Palestinian militants still hold 98 hostages in Gaza, 94 of whom were taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. Thirty-six hostages have been confirmed dead.
“I’m disappointed this agreement doesn’t address all hostages. The lack of a defined timeline for my son’s release in the second phase is unacceptable,” stated Ruby Chen, father of an American-Israeli hostage.
Chen recently met with U.S. negotiators in Qatar.
“We’ll continue fighting until all hostages are freed,” he declared. “I hope President-elect Trump will announce my son’s return during his inauguration speech.”
“My focus is on the second phase, my son’s release,” said Yehuda Cohen, father of IDF soldier Nimrod Cohen, captured near Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, 2023.
“He’s one of the youngest of three surviving captured soldiers. I expect him to be among the last released,” Cohen continued. “He’ll have been held for about a year and a half, and I don’t know his physical or mental state. Our private battle to restore his life will begin soon.”
The breakthrough followed a meeting between U.S. envoy, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. Local media described the meeting as “tense,” with the envoy reportedly demanding significant concessions.
Trump warned Monday that failure to reach a deal would have severe consequences.
“If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there like they have never seen before,” he said.
During Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, the Bibas family—mother Shiri, father Yarden, and their children, 4-year-old Ariel and 9-month-old Kfir—were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
“We hope they’ll return alive and receive the necessary care. But we don’t know their condition upon return. We’re very afraid,” said Jimmy Miller, Shiri Bibas’s cousin.
“I hope for the best, but I don’t want to be disappointed. I try not to dwell on it until it happens. We’ve thought this might happen before. Saturday is Kfir’s second birthday. Maybe he can celebrate with us, even a few days late,” he added.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters stated, “We, the families of 98 hostages, welcome with immense joy and relief the agreement to bring our loved ones home. We thank President-elect Trump, President Biden, both administrations, and international mediators. Since November 2023, we’ve waited anxiously, and after over 460 days of our family members being held, we’re closer than ever to reunification.
“This is a major step towards the return of all hostages—the living for rehabilitation, and the deceased for proper burial,” the statement continued. “However, we’re deeply concerned the agreement might not be fully implemented. We urge swift action to ensure all phases are carried out.”
“We will not rest until the last hostage is home.”