“I need to invent a new word to describe it – when happiness and anxiety come together,” said Efrat Machikawa.
His uncle, Gadi Moses, was kidnapped by Hamas from his home in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
But now there is real hope for his release, after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
Despite the deal, which should see all hostages held by Hamas released, families remain on guard.
“Controlled hope” were the words Ms. Machikawa used to describe how she felt after hearing the news.
He described the negotiations as a “rollercoaster”.
“We are breathing hard,” he said, adding that he has no idea when his uncle will be released.
“I believe that Gadi will be fine. It will take time but he will be embraced with warmth little by little. Together we will win.”
In Tel Aviv, a square that is usually filled with protesters demanding the release of the hostages was empty after the announcement of the cease-fire agreement and the release of the hostages.
The agreement is expected to be approved by the Israeli cabinet, after which a three-phase ceasefire is expected.
The first phase will last six weeks and will see 33 hostages – including women, children and adults – exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
The second phase of negotiations – which should include the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a return to “sustainable calm” – will begin on the 16th.
The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of any remaining bodies of hostages.
“Actually, we don’t know anything. It’s scary,” said Yosi Schnaider, cousin of Shiri Bibas, who was kidnapped with her two children and husband.
“We don’t know if they are on the list, if they will return to the first stage. If they are still alive, if not,” he added.
Nimrod Cohen was only 19 years old when he was kidnapped by Hamas [Getty Images]
Yehuda Cohen, the father of Nimrod Cohen, an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas, said: “I have no time for emotions.”
“I can be Nimrod’s father if Nimrod comes back here,” he said.
“I haven’t talked to him for fifteen months, I’ve seen him, I’ve heard…I’m fighting to get back to being Nimrod’s father.”
According to BBC Verify, 94 of the 251 hostages taken on 7 October 2023 are still being held in Gaza – 60 are thought to be alive and 34 are dead.
Another 109 hostages have been released through negotiations, either on humanitarian grounds or during a temporary moratorium in November 2023.
Eight hostages were rescued by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
The remains of 40 hostages were found in Gaza by the IDF. This includes three hostages accidentally killed by the IDF on December 15, 2023.
Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas – described as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and others – in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured. .
More than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area.
Most of the 2.3 million people have also been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to the struggle to get aid to those in need.
Additional reporting by George Wright