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Families of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip have expressed optimism that the US President's plan for concluding the conflict will secure their family members home.

One mother, whose son her son is among twenty captives still believed to be alive in the territory, said she woke on the weekend with a sense of "hope and expectation", but also "apprehension that anything will fall through".

"It is a delicate circumstance and we hope not to be disappointed once more. And yet I remain optimistic that soon I will see Nimrod and I can embrace my child again."

Nimrod, now aged 21, was a teenage military recruit when he was taken captive by Hamas near the Gaza border during the 7 October 2023 attacks. Overall, two hundred fifty-one people were captured that day, and approximately 1,200 people were fatally wounded.

Latest Developments

On the previous day, the group agreed to release every one of the remaining Israel's captives - both surviving and deceased - but indicated it wanted additional discussions on several critical aspects detailed in the US peace proposal.

Following Hamas submitted its response, the US President wrote on Truth Social "In my opinion they are ready for a lasting CEASEFIRE", as he called on Israel to "without delay stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can secure the Hostages out securely and promptly!"

In a response during the night, Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu said the nation was "preparing to immediately implement the first phase of Trump's proposal for the prompt freedom of all hostages".

Family Responses

Udi Goren, whose relative Tal Haimi was killed in the October 7th attacks and his body taken to the coastal territory where it is still held, said he was hopeful that a deal would be reached.

"We're seeing the US leader taking firm action and bringing everybody behind him, encompassing the Middle Eastern nations and the Israel's leader," he stated. "It's essential to ensure that there's a improved future for Israeli people and Palestinians. At this moment is the moment for action, not for talk."

His sentiments were shared by additional hostage families on Saturday.

In a declaration, the relatives of hostage one detainee said that for "the first time in numerous long and difficult periods, our feelings allow hope that the freedom of Eitan - and of all 47 captives [alive and deceased] - may finally be imminent. That shortly, they will return safely".

But, they added: "Optimism is moderated by great apprehension."

"Until they return, they remain deprived of food, mistreated and in constant risk of death."

Past Opportunities

Another relative explained he understood perfectly what it signified to lose a opportunity for a truce deal.

His cousin Carmel Gat was taken hostage from a community and her body found from a underground passage in Gaza months afterward. The Israeli military said she and several additional captives had been fatally injured just before its troops reached them.

"The development recently is that the group gave an answer - they had some agreements with the President's proposal and certain objections, but the crucial aspect for me is that they're prepared to go through with this," he commented. "There have been numerous additional opportunities before that were missed" but this is a "extremely important phase in the procedure… and perhaps gets us close to ending this war over with."

Discussions between Israel and the organization are now anticipated to resume in Egypt in the coming days.