Hostage Deal Update

Pictures of the hostages in Tel Aviv

After months of negotiations, the deal for the release of the hostages is progressing and is expected to take effect soon. There is no doubt that this is a moment filled with mixed emotions—immense excitement to finally see our brothers and sisters returning home, alongside deep concerns about their condition after over a year and two months in captivity by inhumane terrorists.

It is important to emphasize that Israel is currently facing a highly complex political situation, and it is unclear whether this will impact the deal in any way.

We are all on edge, and so we wanted to share with you the details of the planned agreement:

November 2023, during the first ceasefire

🔹 Phase One:

- The release of 33 hostages,

- ⁠a six-week ceasefire,

- ⁠the release of hundreds of terrorists, some with blood on their hands, in exchange for the hostages,

- ⁠permission for wounded Palestinians to receive medical treatment abroad,

- ⁠IDF withdrawal to approximately 700 meters from the Gaza border,

- ⁠reopening of Rafah crossing about a week after the first phase begins,

- ⁠on the 16th day, the start of negotiations for the second phase.

🔹 Phase Two: (if they get to agreement)

- The release of all remaining hostages,

- ⁠the release of additional terrorists,

- ⁠a permanent ceasefire, and the full withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza.

🔹 Phase Three:

- The beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction and arrangements for the post-war period.

Regardless of our personal opinions on the deal—the moment we see the sweet children of the Bibas family finally returning to their parents’ embrace, and our brothers and sisters reuniting with the Jewish people, it will be impossible to hold back the tears. We have waited so long for this moment, and countless thoughts run through our minds—how did they endure this? Will they be able to recover from the unimaginable trauma they have faced? And will all phases of the deal truly be carried out successfully?

These are challenging days ahead, but at this moment—we are all deeply emotional and eagerly awaiting the long-awaited reunion of the hostages with their families. 🙏💙