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Associated Press

Ofri Bibas Levy has been haunted by nightmares since October 7, when her brother, sister-in-law and their two young children were snatched by Hamas militants from their homes and dragged into the Gaza Strip.
In those dreams she sees her captive relatives, all except for her brother Yarden. That subconscious omission may reflect her ordeal: only women and children are expected to be among the 50 hostages released during a four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that started on Friday.
All of the men, and many women, will remain captive in Gaza for now. It was not clear if all children were expected to be freed.
“It’s a deal that puts the families in a situation that is inhuman. Who will come out and who won’t?” Bibas Levy asked. “The children come out, but my brother and many other people stay?”

The deal will bring relief to dozens whose relatives are captive – as well as to Palestinians in Gaza who have endured weeks of bombardment and dire conditions.
But with some 240 hostages in militant hands, only a fraction of families will be reunited under the current arrangement. There is some hope that the agreement could be expanded: Israel has said it will extend the truce one day for every 10 hostages freed.
But many families are expected to be left to endure the torment of not knowing the fate of their loved ones.
The plight of the hostages – who include men, women, babies, children and older adults – has gripped Israelis. The captives’ families have embarked on a campaign to free their loved ones that has tugged at the heartstrings of many and ratcheted up pressure on the Israeli government to make concessions and secure deals for their release.
Israel prepares to embrace hostages: ‘You are in a safe place’
That pressure and the families’ widespread public support could force the government into extending the ceasefire even though it has pledged to keep fighting once the current truce expires.
Securing the freedom of all hostages, especially the soldiers among them, could prove difficult. Militants in Gaza see the captives as a critical bargaining chip in their war with Israel.
The leader of Islamic Jihad, a militant group allied with Hamas, said Friday that Israeli soldiers who were taken wouldn’t be freed until all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are released.
Bibas Levy has put her life on pause to devote herself to fighting for her family’s release – her nephews age 10 months and four years were some of the youngest taken captive.


The occupational therapist, who moved out of a targeted southern Israeli community two months before Hamas’ attack, said she will keep battling until all her relatives return.
Dani Miran – whose son Omri was taken hostage – has been distraught over his son’s well-being. With the unbearable uncertainty and without a sign of life for seven weeks, he is plagued by difficult thoughts.
“My son is not on the list. He’s 46 years old and I hope that he is in a health condition where he can cope with all the hardship that there is there, that they didn’t wound him, didn’t torture him and didn’t do things that are inhuman,” Miran said.
For many families, the news of a deal has sparked a mix of emotions – grief in cases where they do not expect their loved ones to be freed and hope that it may lead to further releases.
“I wish that all of them would come back, and I believe that all of them will come back,” said Yaakov Argamani, whose daughter Noa, 26, was taken captive, along with dozens of other young adults from a music festival that came under attack.
“But we must have patience, and just be strong.”

Many families have said they cannot endure listening to the news because all the twists and turns of the negotiations are incapacitating.
The current deal, brought about after weeks of fitful negotiations, appeared definite until a last-minute snag prompted a one-day delay.
“It’s like a roller coaster,” said Eyal Nouri, the nephew of Adina Moshe, 72, who was kidnapped after militants killed her husband, Said.
Nouri said the nightmare for many won’t end even if their relatives are released. After the joy of the reunion, those freed will need to reckon with the trauma of their captivity, their dead loved ones, their destroyed communities and their country at war.
“She has nothing. No clothes, no house, no husband, no town. Nothing,” said Nouri.
Once she’s released “she’ll need to build her life from scratch, at 72 years old. Our lives are completely different.”


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Israel-Gaza war

Families of hostages not slated for release from Gaza during current truce face enduring nightmare

Ofri Bibas Levy, sister of Yarden Bibas, held hostage in Gaza with his wife, Shiri and two kids, Kfir and Ariel, talks to the media in Geneva, Switzerland on November 14. Photo: Keystone via AP

A woman holds a poster showing Israeli hostage Adina Moshe, 72, during a protest in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

An undated photo of Omri Miran, who was abducted by Hamas militants on October 7. Photo: Lishay Lavi via Reuters

Joe Biden cheers Gaza hostage release, says there’s ‘real’ chance of truce being extended

A member of Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades leading a hostage (right) over to officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Friday. Photo: Hamas Media Office via AFP

People look on as an Israeli helicopter transporting released hostages lands at Tel Aviv’s Schneider medical centre on Friday. Photo: AFP

At least 10 Thai hostages and 13 Israelis freed as part of Gaza truce deal

Members of Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades lead hostages over to officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza on Friday. Photo: Hamas Media Office via AFP

Israeli security forces stand next to a helicopter transporting released hostages at Tel Aviv’s Schneider Medical Centre on Friday. Photo: AFP

Former Palestinian prisoner Hanna Barghouti, who was released by the Israeli authorities, wears a Hamas headband while she is received by supporters upon her arrival in the West Bank town of Beitunia on Friday. Photo: AP

People in Tel Aviv, Israel, look at photographs on Friday of hostages abducted during the October 7 Hamas attack. Photo: AP

A woman draped in a national flag waits for the return of Israeli hostages in Petah Tikva, Israel, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

When battles in Gaza stop, many fear it will remain uninhabitable

An Israeli tank operating in the northern Gaza Strip this week. Photo: Reuters

A satellite photo of Gaza City. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via AP

An Israeli air strike on in Gaza this week. Photo: Reuters

Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip, on the outskirts of Gaza City. Photo: AP

News

World

Middle East

With some 240 captives in Hamas hands, just a fraction of families will be reunited under the 4-day ceasefire arrangement
Only women and children are expected to be among the 50 hostages freed – none of the men will be released


With some 240 captives in Hamas hands, only a fraction of families will be reunited under the 4-day ceasefire arrangement, and no men will be released.


Israel

War and conflict

Diplomacy

Human rights

Families of hostages not slated for release from Gaza during current truce face enduring nightmare

With some 240 captives in Hamas hands, just a fraction of families will be reunited under the 4-day ceasefire arrangement Only women and children are expected to be among the 50 hostages freed – none of the men will be released

With some 240 captives in Hamas hands, just a fraction of families will be reunited under the 4-day ceasefire arrangement

Only women and children are expected to be among the 50 hostages freed – none of the men will be released