UPDATE: Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are urgently calling for an immediate end to the Gaza war as the conflict escalates with ongoing Israeli airstrikes. This plea comes just hours after President Donald Trump urged Israel to cease bombardments, following Hamas’s conditional agreement to release hostages and engage in peace negotiations.
In a significant development, Hamas announced its willingness to release all hostages, pending discussions about Trump’s peace plan. The group stated, “The movement announces its approval for the release of all hostages — living and remains — according to the exchange formula included in President Trump’s proposal.” This statement, coupled with Trump’s call for an end to hostilities, has ignited hope among families and the international community.
Trump emphasized the urgency of halting the violence, stating on Truth Social, “Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed this sentiment, insisting that the immediate cessation of military operations is crucial to prevent “serious and irreversible harm to the hostages.” They urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to commence swift negotiations to ensure the safe return of all hostages.
Despite these appeals, reports from Gaza indicate that Israeli forces conducted multiple airstrikes overnight, particularly in Gaza City, resulting in numerous casualties. Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal stated, “It was a very violent night,” confirming that 20 homes were destroyed during the bombardments. Hospitals, including the Baptist Hospital in Gaza and Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, reported receiving casualties from strikes, with tragic outcomes including deaths of civilians, including children.
The conflict has escalated since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 Israelis, predominantly civilians. In retaliation, Israel’s military actions have resulted in a staggering 66,288 Palestinian deaths, with reports suggesting that more than half of these casualties are women and children.
The U.S. administration has set a deadline of 2200 GMT Sunday for Hamas to accept Trump’s 20-point plan, which outlines a halt to hostilities, the release of hostages within 72 hours, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. It also stipulates that Hamas and other factions will have no role in governing the territory.
As the situation develops, hope has emerged among Palestinians, with celebrations reported in Al-Mawasi following Hamas’s positive response. Displaced individuals expressed their relief, with one resident, Samah Al-Hu, stating, “The moment I read the news… my body trembled… relief has come to us.”
Leaders from the international community, including those from Britain, France, and Germany, have welcomed the recent developments, with mediators like Qatar and Egypt expressing optimism that these negotiations could lead to a cessation of the conflict.
As the situation remains fluid, all eyes are on the coming hours to see if negotiations will commence and whether the hostages will be released safely. Families are holding their breath, hoping for an end to their anguish and the restoration of peace in the region.
