Despite the truce agreement in Gaza, the fate of 60 hostages held by Hamas, including children, remains unresolved. The bereaved families hope for their release in the next phases of negotiations. A heavy human toll…
Nearly fifteen months after the deadly Hamas offensive on southern Israel, a fragile ceasefire agreement was concluded on Wednesday between the Palestinian Islamist movement and the Jewish state. But for many families, the relief is tinged with deep pain. Because in the shadow of the negotiations, 60 hostages presumed alive remain in the hands of their captors in Gaza.
Among them, 48 men, 10 women and even two young children, brothers Kfir and Ariel, kidnapped with their parents during the attack on October 7, 2023. At least 22 of the Israeli captives hold dual nationality. Six hostages are Thai and one is Nepalese. Ten are soldiers, including five women. A heavy human price for Israel, which has already paid a high price during the offensive.
Hostage release phases
According to the terms of the agreement revealed by Qatar and the United States, the truce should initially allow the release of 33 living hostages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The other captives should be released during a second phase, before a final repatriation of the remains. But Hamas has provided no proof of recent life for most of the detainees. Enough to feed the anxiety of loved ones.
Of the 251 Israelis and foreigners kidnapped on October 7, 2023, only 117 people, mainly women and children, were released during a brief truce in late November. 40 bodies were also returned. Since then, the wait has been endless for families hoping to see their loved ones safe and sound again. Only seven hostages have been rescued during IDF operations since December.
The difficult mourning of families
For those who were lucky enough to reunite with a loved one during the November truce, the joy of reunion often has a bitter taste. As for these Franco-Israeli teenagers from Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the most affected by the hostage taking, who had to leave a parent behind. A tear in relief. And a thought for the missing whose fate is more than uncertain.
Because Hamas has regularly announced the death of captives, such as that of the Bibas children and their mother, without Israel being able to confirm it. Rare videos nevertheless gave some families a slim hope of seeing their loved ones alive again. But as long as the second phase of the liberations is not completed, doubt and anxiety will continue to eat away at them. With only one question in mind: how many will come back?
The fragile hope of a return to normal
Despite the pain, the time has come for reconstruction in Gaza as in Israel. Even if the scars of 15 months of bloody clashes will take time to fade. If the ceasefire keeps its promises, it could open the way to the beginning of dialogue between yesterday’s enemies. With the aim of resolving the thorny question of prisoners, which conditions lasting normalization.
The hostage families oscillate between hope and resignation. Many expressed relief after the deal was announced. But they all know that there will still be a long way to go before they can hug their loved ones. If such a miracle remains possible. In the meantime, they cling to the meager comfort of the ongoing negotiations. And this glimmer of hope of a return to life before. Even if nothing will be the same again.
