Hostage Families in Israel Experience Hope Amid Uncertainty After Hamas Reaction to Peace Plan

Fri Oct 10 2025 16:21:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Families of hostages held by Hamas express a mix of hope and fear as a new peace initiative from the U.S. raises prospects for their loved ones' return.

In the wake of Hamas's response to a U.S.-backed peace plan, families of Israeli hostages voice cautious optimism about the potential for a resolution. While Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod, embodies the duality of hope and apprehension, public demonstrations in Tel Aviv illustrate a larger communal call for action. As negotiations are set to resume, the tension between the desire for peace and the memories of past disappointments weighs heavily on the hearts of those waiting for the return of their loved ones.

Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have shared their cautious optimism regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's recent proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war, viewing it as a potential pathway to bring their loved ones home.

Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is one among 20 hostages still believed alive, expressed a mix of hope and apprehension, stating she awoke with a sense of hope and expectation, yet fears the possibility of disappointment looms. Her son, a soldier abducted on October 7, 2023, was part of a group that saw 251 individuals taken hostage and about 1,200 killed during that deadly day.

Hamas's latest agreement to release all remaining Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, was accompanied by calls for further negotiations related to the key elements outlined in Trump's peace plan. Following this development, President Trump publicly urged Israel to cease bombing operations in Gaza to facilitate a safer hostages' release.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed preparations for the immediate implementation of Trump's plan concerning hostages. Negotiations are anticipated to resume in Egypt soon.

In a display of solidarity, tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv demonstrating support for the families of hostages the night before; chants of you're not alone, we're with you filled the air. Individuals like Einav Zangauker voiced the personal pain and urgency behind the negotiations, fearing another missed opportunity.

Former hostage Omer Shem Tov led the crowd in calls for their safe return, directly appealing to Trump for enforcement of any agreements made.

Despite the optimism expressed by family members, many remain haunted by the potential for unreleased hostages to face ongoing atrocities. As expressed poignantly by Eitan Horn's family, the hope for resolution is tempered by profound fear of what the hostages endure in captivity.

This latest chapter adds another layer to an already complex narrative, as families cling to the hope that this significant peace initiative, if realized, will finally culminate in the safe return of their loved ones.