Tel Aviv residents expressed mixed emotions after a ceasefire was declared in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The release of hostages has brought hope, but some remain in captivity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tel Aviv residents woke up with mixed feelings on Monday after the ceasefire that went into effect Sunday morning stirred modest hopes for ending the Israel-Hamas war.
The joy of seeing freed hostages Emily Damari, Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher reunited with their families was tempered by major questions over the fate of the nearly 100 others kidnapped during the attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, who remain in captivity in Gaza.
"The feelings are mixed because all of the people of Israel and myself have gone through a very difficult time, and our heart still cries out for all the wounded and martyrs who lost their lives for the sake of the return of the hostages, for the sake of the existence of the country, perhaps," said Tel Aviv resident Ora Golan.
Damari, Gonen and Steinbrecher were the first among 33 Israeli hostages who are meant to be released in the coming six weeks in a deal that includes a pause in fighting, the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and increased fuel and aid deliveries for Gaza.
What happens after the deal's first, 42-day phase is still uncertain.
The agreement's subsequent stages call for the further release of hostages and prisoners and a permanent end to the war.
"Great pride, great joy, alongside pain and hope that this is a start to bring everyone back, leaving no one behind," said Yafa Twito, another Tel Aviv resident. "Only if we bring everyone back will we know that this is our country, that this is the country I at least dreamed of, leaving no one behind," she added.
But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was pressured by the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming President Trump to secure a deal before the president-elect's inauguration Monday in Washington, has said he received assurances from Trump that Israel could continue fighting Hamas if necessary.
The toll of the war has been staggering, while new details about its scale and impact are set to emerge following the halt in fighting.
The war has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children make up more than half the fatalities but does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
Further hostages and prisoners are now set to be released on Saturday, while talks on the far more challenging second phase of the ceasefire agreement will begin in just over two weeks.