JERUSALEM (AP) — The people of Israel were saying goodbye to one of the last hostages to be freed in the initial phase of the ceasefire talks between Hamas militants and Israel on Friday. Negotiators were also engaging in talks for a potential second phase of the agreement that could bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and enable the remaining hostages to return home.
Tsachi Idan, a devoted soccer enthusiast who was abducted by Hamas militants at the age of 49, was being laid to rest in a private ceremony following a funeral procession starting from a football stadium in Tel Aviv. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Idan, taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the Gaza war, had tragically lost his life in captivity.
His body was among the four released by Hamas from Wednesday to Thursday in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the final planned swap of the first phase of the ceasefire that commenced in January. Idan had been the sole member of his family taken to Gaza, with his eldest daughter, Maayan, having lost her life during the militant attack on their home.
Tsachi’s sister, Noam Idan ben Ezra, expressed her admiration for her brother in a radio interview, highlighting his bravery and resilience during captivity. She emphasized the urgency for the remaining hostages in Gaza to be brought back home, urging the Israeli government to prioritize their safe return.
As concerns mount over the well-being of the hostages still held in Gaza, pressure is intensifying on Netanyahu to secure the release of those individuals. Reports indicate that of the 59 hostages originally captured, 32 have tragically passed away, with fears growing for the remaining hostages still awaiting liberation.
Eli Sharabi, one of the hostages released on February 8, recounted the harrowing conditions they endured, including being shackled, starved, and subjected to physical abuse. His revelations shed light on the plight of the hostages during their captivity, underscoring the urgent need to secure their release and ensure their safe return to their families.
As discussions for the second phase of the ceasefire progress, the focus remains on resolving the conflict in Gaza and facilitating the return of all living hostages, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region. The subsequent phases of the agreement are anticipated to address the return of the deceased hostages’ remains, paving the way for a lasting peace in the region.
Israel, Qatar, and the United States have initiated “intensive discussions” regarding the second phase of the ceasefire in Cairo, as stated by Egypt’s state information service on Thursday. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office has verified the dispatch of a delegation to Cairo. The statement mentioned that the mediators are deliberating on methods to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, aiming to alleviate the suffering of the populace and bolster stability in the region.
The initial phase of the ceasefire resulted in the release of 33 hostages, including eight deceased individuals, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu has made a commitment to secure the return of all hostages and dismantle the military and governance infrastructure of Hamas, which maintains control over Gaza. The Trump administration has endorsed these objectives. However, the strategy for Israel to neutralize Hamas without reigniting conflict remains uncertain, while Hamas is unlikely to release the remaining hostages, their primary bargaining leverage, without a sustainable ceasefire. Despite sustaining significant losses during the conflict, the militant group has managed to survive and insists on retaining its weaponry.
The ceasefire, negotiated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, brought an end to a 15-month long war triggered by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities. According to Palestinian health officials, Israel’s military offensive has led to the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians. While these officials do not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties, they report that more than half of the deceased were women and children. The conflict has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population and severely damaged the region’s infrastructure and healthcare system.
For the latest updates on the war, follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
