Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have told the BBC they are hopeful that US President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war will bring their loved ones home. Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among 20 hostages held in Gaza who are still believed to be alive, said she had woken on Saturday with a sense of 'hope and expectation', but also 'fear that something will go wrong'. 'It is a fragile situation and we don't want to be disappointed again. And yet I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and I can hug [him] again.' Nimrod, now aged 21, was a 19-year-old soldier when he was kidnapped by Hamas near the Gaza border during the 7 October 2023 attacks. In total, 251 people were taken hostage that day, and approximately 1,200 others were killed.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages - both living and dead - but stated that it wanted further negotiations on key points outlined in the US peace plan. After Hamas submitted its response, Trump posted on Truth Social calling for Israel to 'immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by stating that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days.
On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to end the war, chanting 'you're not alone, we're with you' as families of hostages took to the stage. Former hostage Omer Shem Tov led the crowd in calls for action, appealing to Trump to ensure the deal's enforcement. While there is hope among families, many expressed their deep fears of yet another missed opportunity for the return of their loved ones.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages - both living and dead - but stated that it wanted further negotiations on key points outlined in the US peace plan. After Hamas submitted its response, Trump posted on Truth Social calling for Israel to 'immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by stating that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days.
On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv in support of a deal to end the war, chanting 'you're not alone, we're with you' as families of hostages took to the stage. Former hostage Omer Shem Tov led the crowd in calls for action, appealing to Trump to ensure the deal's enforcement. While there is hope among families, many expressed their deep fears of yet another missed opportunity for the return of their loved ones.
