Tensions Rise as Hostage Deal Approaches in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Israel – Hundreds of thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday as anticipation builds for the expected release of Israeli hostages by Hamas.

During the rally, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff addressed the crowd, stating, “The hostages are coming home” and commended Donald Trump for facilitating a ceasefire and hostage return deal in Gaza.

In a recent development, Palestinian officials reported that around 500,000 people returned to northern Gaza over the past two days after Israeli troops withdrew from the area, which remains largely devastated.

Simultaneously, Egypt announced it would host a summit on Monday, bringing together over 20 world leaders, including Trump, to finalize an agreement to end the ongoing conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also set to travel to Egypt on Monday. Trump plans to visit Israel before attending the summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.

At the Tel Aviv rally, Witkoff faced mixed reactions; while many attendees shouted, “Thank you, Trump!” they also booed when he mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This sentiment reflects public frustration over Netanyahu’s handling of the situation since the onset of the violence.

According to a deal announced last Thursday, Hamas has until Monday to release all 48 hostages it continues to hold, following two years of conflict. Among them, 20 are believed to be alive.

Hamas official Osama Hamdan confirmed the group plans to begin the prisoner exchange on Monday morning as per the agreement.

Families of the kidnapped expressed their desperation. Aviv Havron, whose loved ones were captured during the October 7 attack, shared, “It’s so important for the community… that they come back. Without this, we can’t restart our lives.”

Moreover, Shulamit and David Ginat, who attended the rally, voiced their demands for the safe return of all the hostages, stating, “We want to heal again. We want to stop the war, stop the pain and heal again.”

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Hamas is reportedly mobilizing thousands of fighters to reassert control over areas left by Israeli forces, amidst fears of internal strife within the region.

Local sources have noted armed conflicts between Hamas and various Gaza clans as uncertainty looms over Gaza’s governance after the war. In the midst of the turmoil, displaced Palestinians continue to relocate north only to find their homes in ruins.

Lawyer Mosa Aldous described the devastation, saying, “There is no house anymore. Everything is gone.”

The World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted that despite a deal to increase aid, a significant surge of assistance has yet to materialize, with only two to three aid trucks entering Gaza daily. The WFP aims to restore its regular food distribution system to aid the quarter of Gaza’s population suffering from severe food shortages.

Netanyahu has denied allegations of widespread starvation, attributing food shortages to the inefficiency of aid agencies and Hamas’ actions.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on southern Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings. In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive has led to the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.