Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brings hope, however Gaza bombing continues as hostage households maintain their breath

Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal brings hope, however Gaza bombing continues as hostage households maintain their breath

The deal reached between Israel and Hamas for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage launch instantly introduced jubilation to 1000’s of individuals throughout the decimated Palestinian territory, however each there and on the streets of Israel, hope was nonetheless constrained by nervousness on Thursday morning. The jitters have been fueled by each rising bloodshed in Gaza, and doubt forged by Israel’s chief on the solidity of the deal introduced the earlier night. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Thursday {that a} “last-minute disaster” with Hamas was delaying Israel’s remaining approval of the long-sought truce. Israeli media studies instructed the delay was doubtless right down to Netanyahu making an attempt to purchasing time to take care of nationalist hardliners in his cupboard who’ve all the time fiercely opposed any settlement with Hamas. 

However it’s fragile deal, and the logistics of it will likely be extraordinarily advanced — even Hamas getting the hostages safely to a handover level will current important safety challenges.


What to know in regards to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal as Trump and Biden reply

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The settlement just isn’t set to take impact till Sunday, and with Israel’s army rising assaults in Gaza moderately than easing them within the wake of the deal — and not one of the roughly 100 hostages anticipated to come back dwelling for a number of days — no one who spoke with CBS Information on both aspect of the border appeared able to take without any consideration the peace looming tantalizingly simply over the horizon.

In Gaza, “a brand new probability to stay”

For Gazans, it was the absolute best information. Listening to that the relentless bombing of their cities and villages would cease on Sunday introduced overwhelming aid and pleasure.

One little boy who spoke to CBS Information’ workforce within the enclave summed it up in three phrases: “We’re going dwelling!”

Mahmood Kurdia, who’s been dwelling within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis after being pressured from his dwelling in northern Gaza, mentioned he could not wait to get again, although he is aware of he has just about nothing to return to.

“I need to return dwelling to see my household, my neighbors and my dwelling. Despite the fact that my house is simply ruins now, however I nonetheless need to see it. I need to take away the rubble and put my tent on the highest of the ruins and say to Israel that I am again,” he informed CBS Information on Wednesday.”

Like everybody else, nevertheless, he was keenly conscious that peace, whether it is coming, remains to be three days away.

Israel appeared to ramp up its strikes Wednesday night, killing greater than 70 folks between the ceasefire deal being introduced and Thursday morning, in response to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Well being and the enclave’s Civil Protection rescue company. Each companies informed CBS Information that the lifeless together with 21 youngsters and 24 girls.

gaza-deir-al-balah-strike-jan15.jpg
Folks have a look at harm attributable to an Israeli airstrike that hit tents exterior a mosque in Deir al-Balah, within the central Gaza Strip, after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire settlement was introduced by the U.S. and Qatar, Jan. 15, 2025.

CBS Information


Nonetheless, Kurdia could not assist cling to hope.

“This information means a brand new probability to stay,” he mentioned. “This implies a brand new probability for us to stay and watch our youngsters stay, develop and get schooling. It’s only a new hope for survival. That is the ceasefire deal we hope to get.”

Israeli hostage’s cousin pleased — however “not respiration”

In Tel Aviv, a small crowd gathered Wednesday night time on the spot the place protesters have, week after week, demanded that Israel’s authorities carry the remaining hostages dwelling.

Yifat Kalderon was amongst them. Her cousin Ofer was among the many 251 folks kidnapped throughout Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist assault that noticed militants kill some 1,200 folks, and which sparked the warfare that has raged for nearly 480 days.

Ofer was among the many dozens of individuals kidnapped by the gunmen who stormed Kibbutz Nir Oz. Over the age of fifty, he needs to be among the many hostages launched by Hamas within the first section of the three-phase ceasefire settlement.

However requested if she felt an enormous aid on Wednesday night time, Kalderon made it clear that emotion must wait.

“No,” she mentioned. “I will really feel an enormous aid when it will be carried out. When are we going to get all of the 90-98 hostages alive and the lifeless ones again dwelling.”

Ifat Kalderon, cousin of Israeli hostage Ofer Kalderon hold
Ifat Kalderon, cousin of Israeli hostage Ofer Kalderon, holds up an indication together with his photograph throughout an illustration in Tel Aviv, Israel, Jan. 15, 2025.

Matan Golan/SOPA Photographs/LightRocket/Getty


With bombs nonetheless falling in Gaza and little to point any new stage of belief between Israel and Hamas, hostages’ households all throughout Israel have been left to maintain ready, and worrying about every little thing that might nonetheless go unsuitable.

“I am not saying that I am not pleased,” Kalderon mentioned. “However I am making an attempt to, you realize, handle myself, to not be, you realize, I do not need to – I need to see them, to start with. Till I will see them crossing the border… I am not going to consider something.”

“I am not respiration till that — we will get all of them again dwelling.”

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