Families of hostages now hold out hope that a deal in Gaza could bring an end to the 20-month-long nightmare. The ceasefire between Israel and Iran has sparked renewed optimism, with Iran suffering significant losses over nearly two weeks of fierce Israeli strikes.
Iran’s military proxy groups, including Hamas, are said to be at their most isolated since the start of the war. This, coupled with the weakening influence of Iran in the region, may prompt Hamas to soften its negotiating positions.
The families of 50 hostages who remain captive have been fighting for their loved ones’ fates, often overshadowed by other regional crises. However, as Israel’s war with Iran pushes the hostage crisis to the forefront again, families are hopeful that mediators will seize the momentum to push for a new ceasefire deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may now have more room to maneuver in ending the war in Gaza, having ridden a wave of public support for the Iran war and its achievements. Hamas has repeatedly stated it is prepared to free all hostages in exchange for an end to the war, but Netanyahu says he will only do so once Hamas is disarmed and exiled.
The Berman family, whose twin brothers Gali and Ziv have been held captive since October 2023, remain optimistic despite the uncertainty. They believe that Iran’s military defeat has left a window of opportunity for diplomacy to reign, allowing them to pressure Hamas to be more flexible in their demands.
Gali and Ziv, inseparable twins who were abducted from their homes during the attack, have been apart for 20 months. The family remains hopeful that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran could lead to their release, bringing an end to their long nightmare.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-iran-ceasefire-hostages-a54bb1fa663c33f4153a727ec1e396ee