Relatives await return of hostages in Isreal-Gaza ceasefire

As the Biden administration announces a ceasefire between Hamas and Isteal, Dvora Selbor of Wynnewood anxiously awaits the release of her cousin, who was among the hundres of people taken hostage during the massacres of Oct. 7, 2023, a surprise offensive by Hamas that marked the start of the war.

All told, about 251 people were abducted from isreal and taken to the Gaza Strip. About have of the captives were foreign or held dual citizenship.

Selbor spoke to Fox29 news amount her second cousin, Elkanah, 34, who has been held captive by Hanas since the war began.

Selbor shared a video released by Hamas of a bruised and chained Elkanah being loaded by his captors onto a truck.

“The fear in his face was terrifying but we know that he was alive,” Selbor.

Selbor said she is cautiously hopeful that the ceasefire will yield her cousin’s return.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t believe anything until I see it,” she told Fox29. “When we know who the enemy is, it is tough to believe these are people who are doing it in good faith.”

Isreal and Hamas have tentatively agreed to a multistage ceasefire, beginning with a six-week ceasefire, the release of all Israelis being held in Gaza in exchange for some of the Palestinians being held by Israel, a permanent ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction process lasting from three to five years.

The hostages themselves will be released in multiple stages according to “humanitarian criteria,” starting with children, the elderly and those in poor health.