The families of the hostages in Gaza are terrified that they do not return after Israel resumes the fight

Tel Aviv, Israel (AP) – When the fire began between Israel and Hamas two months ago, Herut Nimrodi knew that he would spend time before his son was released from captivity in Gaza. The 20 -year -old soldier was destined to be part of the second phase of the agreement. Ending war.

But with The surprise bombing of Israel de GazaShe fears that she doesn’t return home at all.

“I really wanted to believe that there is still an opportunity to achieve a second stage without renewing this war. But it seems that my building of hope has collapsed, and I have no idea what to do next,” Nimrodi said Tuesday.

Almost 60 families have relatives who still have in Gaza. About two doctors It is believed that hostages are alive.

During the The first phase of Cesefirewhich began in January, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of another eight in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. But since that phase ended earlier this month, the parties have not been able to agree on a path to follow.

Israel’s renewed air attacks threaten to finish the fragile agreement.

Nimrodi’s son, Tamir, was kidnapped from his Army Base when Hamas broke into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. She has not had signs of life. He has not been declared dead by Israel.

“It’s so sad that this is the only solution they can find,” he said, lamenting the government’s decision.

The early attacks on Tuesday killed more than 400 people and destroyed a relative calm, along with the hope of finishing the war that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered air attacks due to lack of progress in conversations to extend the fire. The officials called the open operation.

The return to the fight could deepen the painful debate in Israel about the fate of the remaining hostages.

Netanyahu and its hard -line governing partners believe that renewing the war will press Hamas to free them and bring Israel closer to their goal of destroying the military and government capabilities of Hamas.

But most hostage families, and large parts of the Israeli public, believe that such objectives are not realistic. They say that time is exhausting, particularly after the recent launches of demacado -looking hostages that later described hard conditions in captivity.

Hamas accused Netanyahu to fly the fire and expose the hostages “to an unknown destiny.”

The hostage families asked the followers to protest with them outside the Parliament of Israel on Tuesday.

Some families who already know their relatives in Gaza are dead qualified by the unacceptable government’s decision.

“This is not just a disaster in every way, shape or shape on how hostages are still suffering, chained to the walls, hungry, abused, but also the number of deaths that continues to increase on the side of the Gazán,” said Udi Goren.

His cousin such Haimi was killed on October 7 and his body was taken to Gaza. Goren said the international community must press Hamas, Israel and the mediators, the United States, Egypt and Qatar, to end the war.

“Do you fight again? Did you hear a word of what we, the returnees released in the last deal, have we been telling you?” The former hostage Omer Wenkert wrote on Instagram.

Romi Gonen, among the first hostages to be released in the first phase of Alto El Fuego, said he would never forget what he felt in captivity to hear the bombs after the previous conversations of high fire collapsed and realize that they would not be released in the short term.

“I beg you, the people of Israel, we must continue fighting for them,” he said on Instagram.

Sylvia Cunio, whose two children are hostages, accused Israel’s leaders not having a heart.

“It is not correct to continue the fight. I want my children to return home. If he wants to kill me, the prime minister, let him do it anymore because I will not overcome this,” he said on the local radio.

Nimrodi said that he is concerned that air attacks not only damage his son and other hostages, but also worsen their living conditions.

The last time he saw Tamir, he was a fun teenager who rode horses and loved to learn about geology and astronomy, he said. The two had a similar humor and used to talk about everything.

While it is terrified of what is to come, he said he will not stop fighting to see him again.

“Please stay strong, survive,” he said, addressing him. “So there is the possibility that we meet once again.”

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Associated Press Natalie Melzer writer in Nahariya, Israel contributed.

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