On Thursday morning, the agreement between Israel and Hamas on a Gaza ceasefire, and the release of hostages, brought joy to thousands in the devastated Palestinian territory. But, both there and in Israel, the hope was still tempered by anxiety. Both the increasing violence in Gaza and the doubts expressed by Israel’s prime minister about the validity of the agreement announced the night before fueled the jitters.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, said on Thursday that the “last-minute crises” with Hamas were delaying Israel’s final approval of a long-sought ceasefire. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu was trying to buy time in order to deal with the nationalist hardliners who have always been opposed to any agreement with Hamas.
It is a fragile deal and logistics will be complex. Even Hamas will have a difficult time getting the hostages to the handover point safely.
It is unlikely that the agreement will take effect before Sunday. Israel has increased attacks on Gaza, rather than decreasing them. And the 100 or so hostages are not expected to return for several days.
Gaza: “A new chance to Live”
It was the best news possible for Gazans. The news that the bombings of their towns and villages will stop on Sunday was a source of great relief and joy for Gazans.
CBS News team spoke with a little boy in the enclave who said: “We’re heading home!”
Mahmood, who has been forced to leave his home in Gaza’s northern region and is now living in the southern town of Khan Younis, says he can’t wait to return, even though there’s almost nothing for him to return to.
“I would like to return home to my family and neighbors, as well as my house. My home may be in ruins, but I want to see it. He told CBS News that he wanted to clear the rubble, put his tent on top of the ruins, and tell Israel that he was back.
He was aware, like everyone else, that if peace is to come, it will be three days.
Israel seemed to intensify its attacks Wednesday evening. According to the Hamas run Gaza Ministry of Health, and the Civil Defense rescue agency in the enclave, more than 70 people were killed between the announcement of the ceasefire and Thursday morning. CBS News reported that both agencies confirmed to CBS News the death toll included 21 children and 24 females.
Kurdia could not help but hold on to hope.
He said, “This news is a chance for us to live anew.” “This is a chance to watch our children grow, live and receive an education. It’s just a new chance for survival. “This is the ceasefire agreement we hope to achieve.”
The cousin of an Israeli hostage is happy, but “not breathing”.
A small crowd gathered in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night at the same spot where protesters had, week after week demanded Israel’s government to bring home the remaining hostages.
Yifat Kalderon is one of them. Ofer, her cousin, was one of the 251 kidnapped in Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The militants killed 1,200 people and sparked a war that has been raging for nearly 480 days.
Ofer was one of the dozens kidnapped when the gunmen stormed Kibbutz Nir Oz. Hamas should release him in the first phase ceasefire agreement, as he is over 50 years old.
When asked if Wednesday night she felt a great deal of relief, Kalderon said that emotions would have to be put on hold.
She replied, “No.” I’m going feel a great relief when this is done. When will we be able to bring all 90-98 hostages back alive, and the dead ones home?”
Families of hostages in Israel have been left waiting and worried about what could go wrong as long as bombs continue to fall on Gaza.
Kalderon replied, “I don’t say that I am not happy.” “But I am trying to take care of myself and not be, you understand, I do not want to – I want to first see them.” “Until I see them cross the border…I’m not going believe anything.”
“I can’t breathe until then — we’ll get them back home.”
