Israeli Women and Children Released by Hamas, While Families of Other Hostages Remain in Uncertainty
Alex Sherman's sleepless nights continue as his son Ron remains in captivity since being taken by Hamas militants near Gaza As a soldier, the 19-year-old may face challenges in negotiations for his release The uncertainty lingers for families of other hostages, raising questions about the future of the war
Alex Sherman has been struggling to get a full night's sleep since Hamas militants took his son Ron from an army base near Gaza on October 7. As a soldier, Sherman fears that his 19-year-old son will be difficult to negotiate out of Gaza.
The retired father is desperate to see his son again, but he fears that fighting will break out again before it can happen. Sherman believes that Hamas political leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, will keep Ron close to him, using him as a "human shield." This fear is common among families of soldiers abducted by Hamas.
Each weekend since the Hamas attacks, Sherman has participated in a rally in Tel Aviv to support the hostage families. The rally grew in size on Saturday as Israelis called on their government to actively seek the release of all the hostages captured on October 7 and to potentially extend the current ceasefire.
Qadura Fares, leader of the Palestinian Prisoners Association, is interviewed by Reuters at his office in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on November 15, 2023.
The Palestinian prisoners included on Israel's potential release list are being freed as part of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas. So far, groups of Israeli citizens and other nationals have been released from Gaza, while Israel has also released Palestinian women and children detainees.
All civilians released in the deal are Israeli women and children, leaving the fate of soldiers and adult men uncertain. According to a source, negotiating their release from Gaza has proven to be the most challenging. On Monday, Qatar's foreign ministry declared that a truce in Gaza has been extended for an additional two days.
Israel had previously stated its willingness to consider a daily extension for every 10 new hostages released by Hamas after the four-day deal ends. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the possibility during a conversation with US President Joe Biden on Sunday. In response, Hamas also expressed interest in extending the truce through efforts to increase the number of prisoners released as stipulated in the humanitarian ceasefire agreement.
The move has the backing of major countries like the United States and Qatar, and would offer more relief for the civilians in Gaza who have faced weeks of Israeli bombardment and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured on October 28, has indicated he would be open to extending the country's truce with Hamas.
Abir Sultan/Reuters
However, the potential liberation of additional hostages provides minimal comfort to families with loved ones serving in the Israeli military, such as the Shermans. Nadav Eyal, a columnist for the Israeli Yediot Ahronoth newspaper, explained to CNN that Hamas has not made a genuine effort to negotiate the release of all kidnapped Israelis or to strike a significant deal.
Furthermore, an additional complication is that Hamas is not the sole captor of the Israelis taken into Gaza. It is believed that Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with other groups or individuals, may be holding an estimated 40 to 50 hostages.
Despite widespread international calls for a ceasefire to provide ongoing humanitarian aid to Gaza, the Israeli government has declared its commitment to persist in the conflict until Hamas is completely eliminated. Eyal also stated that the Israeli public largely supports the government's military efforts and is unified in their goal to secure the release of as many hostages as possible before the next phase of the war commences.
What may come next in the war?
Following the end of the truce, Israel is set to continue its ground and air operation and has hinted at the possibility of extending its focus to the southern region of the enclave. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) distributed leaflets in parts of southern Gaza in mid-November, cautioning communities to the east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza to "head towards known shelters." As a result, a significant number of Gazans have relocated to the south, adhering to earlier IDF advisories to vacate the northern portion of the strip.
Israeli political experts have suggested that only if the leadership of Hamas were to depart from Gaza, it could potentially prevent the Israeli military from advancing further into Khan Younis, as stated by Amir Oren from Haaretz. However, Eyal expressed doubt that Hamas would comply with such a request, despite the desire for it from Israeli cabinet ministers, the US, and Egypt, as well as many Palestinians in Gaza.
Critics say Israels leaders have yet to provide a clear vision for post-war Gaza as they focus on eradicating Hamas from Gaza. Â
A convoy of Israeli army vehicles travels towards southern Israel, on November 24, marking the start of a four-day truce with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP
A group of Israelis watch as a helicopter carrying hostages released by Hamas lands in Petah Tikva, in Israel, on November 26.
Leo Correa/AP
Netanyahu has not disclosed much about his plans for Gaza after the military operation. He told CNN in mid-November that his operation aims to destroy Hamas and rescue the over 200 hostages taken by the group on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people.
Eyal stated that there is a "consensus" in Israel that the war needs to end "with military control of the Gaza Strip." According to a survey by the Israel Democracy Institute, conducted on November 19-20, about half of all Jewish and Arab Israeli respondents believed the most important goal of Israel's war on Hamas was securing the release of all hostages in Gaza. Additionally, a majority of those surveyed do not believe the Israeli government has a clear plan of action for when the fighting in Gaza ends.
However, each time the conflict in Israel reignites, it will face increasing global diplomatic pressure to minimize the impact on civilians in Gaza. The death toll in the region, currently exceeding 14,000, according to the Hamas-controlled interior ministry, underscores the urgency of this pressure. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conveyed to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant the necessity for increased humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, despite the logistical challenges posed by Israel's airstrikes. Additionally, Austin emphasized the need for safe areas to be designated for aid distribution, which will require coordination with the United Nations to ensure the safety of civilians.
Oren, from Haaretz, stated that the Israeli military will face significant challenges in strategizing under these conditions. He also emphasized that Israel no longer has control over the events, leaving the next course of action in the hands of others, from Sinwar to Biden.
The families of the hostages are in a difficult position, as they must balance advocating for their loved ones' release with remaining neutral in order to maintain the support of the diverse political community involved in the hostage family movement.
