Israeli hostage families optimistic following Trump’s Gaza peace declaration

The Hostage Families Forum in Israel praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday that the terrorist organization is “ready for peace” and prepared to release all remaining 48 hostages under the right conditions. Up to 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive.

The forum called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly initiate talks to secure the release of the hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists and other terror groups in Gaza, held in inhuman living conditions in Gaza for almost two years.

"The Hostage Families Headquarters strengthens President Trump's determination to bring about the return of all the hostages and the end of the war. The President's demand to stop the war now is necessary. It will prevent severe and irreversible harm to the hostages. We call on the PM to immediately order efficient and swift negotiations for the return of all our hostages," the forum said in an official statement.

Trump, who recently warned Hamas to accept his deal or face destruction, called on Israel to end all offensive operations to secure the first phase of the agreement, which focuses on the release of all hostages within 72 hours.

“Israel must immediately stop the bombings in Gaza so we can release the hostages safely and quickly. Right now, it is too dangerous to do so. We are already in discussions on details that have yet to be resolved. This is not just about Gaza, it is about peace in the Middle East, which we have wanted for a very long time,” Trump stated.

Anat Angrest, the mother of the hostage Matan Angrest, thanked Trump on 𝕏.

"Thank you president Trump. After two years of suffering, I feel closer than ever to hug my son Matan again,” she wrote.

Ruby Chen, the father of the fallen hostage Itay Chen, expressed "cautious optimism" that the family would at last receive the body of his son after Trump’s dramatic announcement.

"I support President Trump's statement to stop the Israeli attack in order to exhaust the opportunity to release all the hostages. My family has been waiting two years for the return of my son, Israel's hero. President Trump gives me hope that the day we are reunited with Itay is near," Chen stated.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker and a vocal critic of Netanyahu, shared Trump’s post with the added message “Did you read it Netanyahu?”

Hamas has previously rejected multiple international peace proposals during the past two years of war. However, Washington believes that a severely weakened Hamas may finally accept the deal presented in Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The White House amplified Trump’s optimistic announcement on 𝕏 with the caption “PEACE in the MIDDLE EAST.”

Following Trump’s announcement, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Jerusalem confirmed: "Israel is preparing for the immediate implementation of the first stage of President Trump's plan for the immediate release of all the hostages."

"We will continue to work in full cooperation with the President and his team in order to bring the war to an end in accordance with the principles set forth by Israel, which are consistent with President Trump's vision," the PMO added.

Netanyahu has stressed on multiple occasions that Israel’s war goals are the return of the hostages, the dismantlement of Hamas as a military threat, and the demilitarization of the Gaza area.

However, Hamas has so far sent mixed signals about whether it is prepared to disarm as required under Trump's 20-point peace agreement.