Naama Moses, a volunteer promoting merchandise to help the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, which represents family members of the captives, ascribed this to the ache that many felt after they noticed the three males who have been freed final week.
“Maybe containing your disappointment could be simpler at residence in entrance of the telly, by yourself,” Ms. Moses mentioned.
Dr. Hagai Levine, the pinnacle of the medical staff for the hostage households group, mentioned that whereas the boys launched Saturday have been speaking and strolling on their very own, it was evident from the video of their launch that they wanted medical care.
“Now they should be examined very fastidiously,” he mentioned.
Dr. Levine mentioned these launched not too long ago had shared “dreadful testimonies” in regards to the standing of hostages who stay in Gaza.
“Being in captivity for almost 500 days means extreme harm to their well being,” he mentioned. “They don’t have time, they could not survive the subsequent weeks.”
The specter of the cease-fire negotiations breaking down alarmed households whose family members weren’t set to be launched through the cease-fire settlement’s present part, which ends early subsequent month.
“There’s concern,” mentioned Mr. Zexer, whose household hosted the Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander throughout his navy service in Israel. “We live in a actuality present that even the satan couldn’t have conceived.”
Describing the strain and uncertainty between every week’s launch, Mr. Zexer mentioned that “the hostages are paying the value.”
Viki Cohen, the mom of an Israeli soldier nonetheless held in Gaza, mentioned in an interview that the enjoyment of seeing three extra hostages launched was tempered by anguish and uncertainty.
“We’re on a loopy curler coaster,” mentioned Ms. Cohen, who not too long ago obtained proof that her son Nimrod was nonetheless alive. He isn’t among the many hostages anticipated to be launched within the first part of the cease-fire. “We’re doing the whole lot in our energy for him to return,” she mentioned.
Even after the Crimson Cross drove away with the newly launched males, heading towards Israel, the group at Hostages Sq. remained, hoisting photos of individuals nonetheless in captivity in a subdued celebration of solidarity.
“It’s overwhelming to be right here, the heat and the love,” mentioned Jennifer Brandeis, who was visiting Tel Aviv from Virginia. “Being collectively — it’s the whole lot to me.”
