A ceasefire took effect in Gaza early Friday as Israeli troops began withdrawing from parts of the territory, according to israel Defense Forces (IDF) statements and reports from the region. The pause in fighting is part of a deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, intended to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
More than two years after Hamas and its allies kidnapped 251 people from israel and took them to Gaza, 47 hostages remain in the enclave, with at least 20 believed to be alive. The remains of another hostage, Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, have been held there since 2014.This agreement offers a potential path toward securing the release of some of those held captive, providing a glimmer of hope for families who have endured months of uncertainty and anguish. The ceasefire’s success hinges on Hamas’s adherence to the terms, particularly the release of hostages, and the sustained flow of aid to a population facing dire conditions.
“There is that scenario, some say even a realistic scenario, that Hamas will come back and say, ‘Look, we don’t have 48. we only have a lower number.’ So it might be that there are some families, including mine, that do not have closure,” said a father of a hostage.
Itay, a dual US-Israeli citizen, is presumed dead, but his father has previously stated that his son remains a hostage even in death. He has conveyed this to both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden.
“I would hope to believe that this management, that speaks so highly about America … will do their best efforts as well … making sure that my son is one of the first that come out,” the father added.
