Israel Security Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Agreement: Live Update
Family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza welcomed the Israeli security cabinet’s approval of a ceasefire agreement on Friday, bringing it closer to going into effect. But excitement at the prospect of reuniting with loved ones has been tempered by uncertainty about whether Israel and Hamas will stick to the deal beyond its first phase.
“The stomach turns, and the heart is poured out, but this is what we have been waiting for,” said Daniel Lifshitz, whose grandfather, Oded, 84, is among the approximately 100 hostages held in Gaza.
Mr. Lifshitz said the involvement of President-elect Donald J. Trump and his ambassador to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, made him confident that the deal would happen even before the cabinet gave it approval. Now, Mr. Lifshitz said, the challenge is to ensure that Israel and Hamas comply with the terms of the agreement and return all the hostages.
“I hope that Trump and Witkoff will do what needs to be done,” said Mr. Lifshitz.
Although the grandfather of Mr. Lifshitz is among the hostages to be released in the first phase of the deal, the family has no information about his welfare or if he is still alive.
“Preparing the ceremonies and the funeral at the same time is impossible,” said Mr. Lifshitz in conversation.
Doron Zexer, whose family held Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander during the war in Israel, and is a prominent advocate for his release, said the news that the hostages might be freed was exciting, even if Mr. quickly among them.
“I will be the happiest man alive to see any of the hostages return, but there is also great concern about the second phase,” said Mr. Zexer, 50.
Mr. Alexander is not among the 33 hostages, most of whom are women and the elderly, who are expected to be released within the first six weeks of the deal.
Although the agreement is ongoing, the families have no clear indication of whether Israel intends to continue the agreement beyond its first phase and commit to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, allowing the remaining hostages to return home.
“I know there are religious fanatics, but I hope the prime minister would not allow them to take over,” said Mr. Zexer in conversation. “This must end with the release of the last of the remaining hostages.”
Earlier on Friday, when ministers met to vote on the deal, families of the hostages gathered in a public space in Tel Aviv known as Hostages Square to urge decision-makers to support the deal.
Scores of Israelis flocked to the square to support families and seek comfort, some wearing the shirts and pins that have become common symbols in Israel during the 15-month campaign to free the hostages.
At a press conference, Einav Zengauker, whose son, Matan, has been imprisoned in Gaza since October 7, 2023, said, “The signed agreement is a comprehensive agreement in phases. Our role is to do everything to ensure that the agreement is fully implemented.”
His son is not among those to be released in the first phase of the deal. “This agreement must be followed until the end in order to return everyone home and end the war,” he said.
Michel Illouz, whose son, Guy, was captured alive during the attack and ended up being killed in custody, said that Israel’s mission to defeat Hamas will not allow it to continue with the agreement until the end.
“It is impossible to crush Hamas and return the hostages; that is a statement we contradict,” he said during the press conference.
He urged Israeli leaders to accept the terms of the agreement so that all hostages – and the remains of those who died – return to Israel.
“I don’t have a grave where I can tell my eldest son how much I miss him,” said Mr. Illouz. “We have no hope of receiving our children alive – we can only hope to find a grave and try to find closure.”
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