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Families of Israelis captured in the Gaza Strip have expressed hope that the US President's plan for ending the war will bring their family members home.

One mother, whose son her son is among twenty hostages still believed to be alive in the territory, said she awakened on Saturday with a sense of "optimism and anticipation", but also "apprehension that something will go wrong".

"It is a delicate situation and we don't want to be disappointed once more. Nevertheless I feel hope that in the near future I will be reunited with Nimrod and I can hug my child again."

Nimrod, now aged 21, was a 19-year-old military recruit when he was kidnapped by Hamas near the border area during the October 7th incidents. In total, two hundred fifty-one individuals were captured that date, and approximately twelve hundred people were fatally wounded.

Recent Updates

On the previous day, the group consented to release all the outstanding Israeli captives - including surviving and dead - but stated it wanted additional negotiations on multiple critical points outlined in the American peace proposal.

After Hamas delivered its reply, the US President posted on social media "I believe they are prepared for a lasting PEACE", as he called on the Israeli government to "without delay stop the airstrikes of Gaza, so that we can secure the Hostages out safely and promptly!"

In a response during the night, Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was "preparing to right away execute the first phase of Trump's plan for the immediate release of every captives".

Relative Reactions

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

"It appears President Trump taking firm action and getting everybody to support him, including the Middle Eastern nations and the Israeli prime minister," he said. "It's essential to ensure that there exists a improved future for Israeli people and Palestinians. At this moment is the time for action, not for words."

His sentiments were shared by other captive families on the weekend.

In a declaration, the relatives of captive Eitan Horn said that for "the first time in so many extended and difficult periods, our feelings dare to believe that the release of their relative - and of every one of the captives [alive and deceased] - may finally be imminent. That soon, they will return safely".

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

"Until they return, they remain starved, tortured and in constant risk of death."

Past Opportunities

Gil Dickman explained he understood too well what it signified to lose a chance for a truce agreement.

His cousin a relative was taken hostage from Kibbutz Be'eri and her body found from a tunnel in Gaza months afterward. The Israeli military said she and five other hostages had been fatally injured shortly before its troops reached them.

"The development yesterday is that the group gave an answer - they had some agreements with the President's proposal and certain objections, but the main thing for me is that they're prepared to go through with this," he commented. "There have been numerous other opportunities previously that were lost" but this is a "extremely important phase in the procedure… and perhaps brings us nearer to getting this war over with."

Discussions between Israel and the organization are now anticipated to resume in the neighboring country in the near future.