Families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza have told the BBC they are hopeful that US President Donald Trump's plan for ending the war will bring their loved ones home.
Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod is among 20 hostages held in Gaza who are still believed to be alive, said she had woken on Saturday with a sense of 'hope and expectation', but also 'fear that something will go wrong'.
It is a fragile situation and we don't want to be disappointed again. And yet I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and I can hug [him] again.
Nimrod, now aged 21, was a 19-year-old soldier when he was kidnapped by Hamas near the Gaza border in the attacks on October 7, 2023. A total of 251 people were taken hostage that day, with around 1,200 others killed.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages - living and dead - but said it wanted further negotiations on a number of key points outlined in the US peace plan.
Following Hamas's response, Trump posted on Truth Social saying, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE, urging Israel to cease bombing Gaza to facilitate the safe return of hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, stating that Israel was preparing to implement the first phase of Trump's peace plan for the urgent release of hostages.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days.
On Saturday evening, tens of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv in solidarity with the families of hostages, chanting slogans of support as speakers urged for the return of their loved ones. Einav Zangauker, who has a son held captive in Gaza, passionately expressed the emotional weight of the situation.
Udi Goren, whose cousin was killed in the October attacks, expressed optimism regarding the likelihood of a successful deal being reached.
Despite the underlying current of hope, many families articulated a deep fear of potential disappointment, underscoring the emotional struggle of those waiting for news of their loved ones amid the fragile peace process.
