US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with the families of 48 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, offering support amid high-stakes negotiations for their release. The meeting took place as humanitarian conditions across the region have continued to worsen. Gaza hospitals counted 280 deaths, including 256 people excavated from the rubble.
As the Israel-Hamas ceasefire enters its third day, sympathy for whichever actor “looks worse,” will damage lives and undercut humanitarian efforts. After two years of conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned, only to find the infrastructure damaged beyond repair. The continued destruction makes it almost impossible for food and medical aid to reach those in need. Qatari diplomats have played key roles in ongoing negotiations taking place in Cairo, Egypt, aimed at achieving a ceasefire and a hostages for freedom deal.
Aid finally has begun to trickle into Gaza, where over 2 million people still face horrific humanitarian conditions. Some 400 aid trucks are scheduled to bring food, medicine and fuel into southern Gaza. This anticipated surge will positively impact the flow of continuing assistance to the region. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, up to 600 trucks will enter the area daily. This is intended to minimize harm to civilians, who make the cost of war unbearable.
To mark this moment, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israel are being freed. This is in addition to the agreements made during negotiations that pushed for humanitarian aid. Families of the hostages thanked everyone and said they were still hopeful their loved ones would return home safely. And I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you President (Donald) Trump. Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for listening to our voices. Thank you for helping us bring our family members home safe. But please, don’t stop now. Itzik Horn, the father of hostage Eitan Horn, urged, ‘Do not be quiet until the last hostage returns. Don’t stop until every single one is home!
The first Israeli hostages are expected to start coming home in the early hours of Monday. This announcement comes more than directly from the country’s hostage coordinator. This announcement has given hope to families who have suffered long, painful years waiting for answers and justice for their loved ones.
“But until the last hostage is here in the State of Israel, the mission will not be complete.” – Yael Sabraigo, niece of hostage Lior Rudaeff
Today the scenario is just as dire, with nearly 10,000 Palestinians assumed to still be caught under rubble throughout Gaza. Even as the recovery task ahead remains an overwhelming task in front of many returning home to neighborhoods ravaged by war. “Israeli citizens are returning to their country after being abandoned – some for burial and some to begin a long and difficult recovery,” said Itzik Horn during a poignant speech.
For Palestinians returning to their homes, destruction of roads and buildings have made their lives even more difficult. As the peace talks promise an end to this ongoing violence, families continue to grieve lost lives and livelihoods. As conditions worsen, humanitarian organizations have yet to raise the alarm on what’s required to meet the needs of the population.
Speaking on reaffirming the United States’ commitment to ensuring that “no one is left behind” in this crisis, US special envoy Steve Witkoff. This occurs right in concert with major changes in the national environment. The administration’s engagement has been instrumental in bringing everyone together to foster productive negotiations that can achieve a global fix.
Tal Shoham, another survivor of captivity told visceral stories of his time spent in Gaza with other hostages. “I was in captivity for 505 days. In captivity in Gaza are four other Israeli friends and the rest of my generation – Omer (Wenkert), Guy (Gilboa-Dalal) and Evyatar (David). Our spirits were joined and our destinies intertwined,” he remembered. Shoham emphasized the pain of surviving while others remained captive, stating, “When I hugged my loved ones, I was filled with joy and happiness, but inside I carried pain for Guy and Evyatar who stayed there, behind.”
The travesty of emotion from these reunited families turns to joy that these families will soon be reunited after an agonizing separation. Adi Angrest, sister of hostage Matan Angrest expressed her relief and excitement: “My hero brother is coming home! Matan, my big brother, my hero, the hero of an entire nation. All that’s left for me is to wait to hug you, to feel and heal you.”
“Today, two years and four days after that Black Saturday – finally there is light.” – Yael Sabraigo
Aid has begun flooding into Gaza. Families are waiting in dread for news of those still in detention, clinging to hope even as it is being ground down. Today’s story illustrates the precariousness of peace as well as the determination of those fighting for an end to this violent and longstanding confrontation.
