TEL AVIV: The resumption of hostilities between Israel and Hamas has reignited fears among the families of hostages held in Gaza, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and anguish.

Following the initiation of a ceasefire two months ago, hopes had risen for the eventual release of hostages, including 20-year-old soldier Tamir Nimrodi, who was abducted during a Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, 2023. Nimrodi's mother, Herut Nimrodi, expressed her deepening despair as military operations resumed, stating, "I really wanted to believe that there is still a chance to reach a second stage without renewing this war.

But it feels like my building of hope has collapsed."

As of now, nearly 60 families in Israel are grappling with the fate of their relatives still held in Gaza, where it is believed that around two dozen hostages remain alive.

The initial phase of the ceasefire, which commenced in January, saw the release of 25 Israeli hostages along with the bodies of eight others, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Since the ceasefire's conclusion earlier this month, negotiating parties have not been able to establish a further agreement.

The recent escalation, characterized by renewed airstrikes from Israel, threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire.

Reports indicate that the strikes have resulted in significant casualties, including hundreds of deaths, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has suffered over 48,000 fatalities since the conflict began.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside his robust governing coalition, asserts that intensifying military action could compel Hamas to release the remaining hostages and might serve Israel's broader objective to dismantle Hamas' military infrastructure.

However, there exists significant dissent among hostage families and segments of the Israeli public, who argue that such military goals may be unrealistic and express growing concern over the conditions in which hostages are held.

Families of hostages have voiced their outrage, calling for public demonstrations outside the Israeli parliament to advocate for their loved ones.

Udi Goren, who lost his cousin Tal Haimi on October 7, criticized the government's strategy, emphasizing the dual catastrophe of hostage suffering and the rising death toll in Gaza.

He urged for international pressure on all parties, including the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, to facilitate an end to the conflict.

Concerns regarding the implications of the renewed military actions on hostages have intensified.

Nimrodi remarked on the fear that airstrikes could exacerbate the living conditions for Tamir and others in captivity.

Sylvia Cunio, whose two sons are also missing, expressed a poignant plea for the cessation of hostilities, stating, "It isn’t right to continue the fighting.

I want my children back home already."

Former hostage Omer Wenkert echoed similar sentiments, questioning the wisdom of returning to combat and imploring the public to heed the pleas of those who have experienced captivity.

In a further display of solidarity, Romi Gonen, one of the first hostages released during the previous ceasefire phase, recalled the trauma of hearing bombings while in captivity, emphasizing the emotional toll on hostages and their families.

As the military actions resume, families continue to cling to a thread of hope while grappling with the overwhelming realities of their loved ones' captivity.

With a dire and evolving situation on the ground, the call for renewed negotiations and humanitarian considerations remains pressing.