Israeli hostage families hold out hope after ‘roller coaster’ negotiations with Hamas
As talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas progressed, the families of hostages held for 15 months in Gaza said they “remain hopeful” of their release.
As negotiators neared a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Tuesday, the families of hostages held for 15 agonizing months in the Gaza Strip said that they “remain hopeful” that their loved ones will be released.
Still, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was facing political backlash Tuesday even before a potential truce with Hamas had been inked.
Negotiators were expected to meet in Qatar on Tuesday to finalize details of a ceasefire, the day after President Joe Biden indicated the deal was “on the brink of coming to fruition.” That apparent breakthrough came after more than a year of war that has devastated Gaza and a year of stop-start talks.
For those whose loved ones have remained in captivity through a succession of false dawns, a deal can't come soon enough.
After months of fiercely criticizing Israel's government and leading mass protests, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum — an advocacy group that represents many of the hostages' families — said in a statement that “any deal, even a limited one, represents an important first step toward a comprehensive agreement.”
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