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 7 October 2023 attacks. In total, 251 people were taken hostage that day, and around 1,200 others were killed.
On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages - living and dead - but stated it wanted further negotiations on key points outlined in the US peace plan.
After Hamas submitted its response, Trump posted on Truth Social, I believe they are ready for a lasting PEACE, called on Israel to immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so we can get the hostages out safely and quickly!
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of all hostages.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume in Egypt in the coming days.
On Saturday evening, tens of thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv in support of the deal to end the war, breaking out into chants of you're not alone, we're with you as families of the hostages took to the stage to call for their return.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive, yelled into the microphone, Netanyahu, don't take our oxygen and our hope. To you they're just hostages, but to me that's my boy. He's my life. The hostages are the beating heart of the country.
As families and former hostages spoke to the crowd in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu gave a televised address saying he hoped to announce the release of the hostages in the coming days.
Udi Goren, whose cousin Tal Haimi was killed in the 7 October attacks, expressed optimism that a deal would be reached. Now is the time for action, not for words, he said.
However, the family of Eitan Horn emphasized a cautious outlook, stating, Until they return, they remain starved, tortured and in constant danger of death. They expressed renewed hope but acknowledged the fear that the deal could falter.
Gil Dickman, reflecting on the missed opportunities for ceasefire deals, noted the importance of the current stage in the peace process, indicating that it brings them closer to ending the war.
