In Israel, Families of Hostages Wait Anxiously for News

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza awoke on Wednesday to news of a deal that brought both hope and agony.

Uncertainty over the agreement — including over who would be among at least 50 hostages set to be released, and whether more would follow — was straining the emotions of relatives who have campaigned for the release of their loved ones in the 46 days since they were abducted during the Hamas assault on southern Israel.

Israel has said that about 240 people were taken hostage to Gaza, and it remained unclear which of them would be released under the cease-fire deal announced overnight. Cease-fires in previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas have proven fragile.

Hours after the deal was announced, families said they had received no official information from the Israeli authorities. The government said in a statement that women and children would be released, raising the possibility that families could be separated — for example, by leaving behind fathers who were taken captive with their children. At least 36 Israeli civilians ages 18 and under are being held in Gaza along with 13 of their mothers.

“I am feeling like yesterday and the day before, only worse,” said Yael Engel Lichi, the aunt of Ofir Engel, a 12th grader from Jerusalem who was kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Be’eri, where he was staying with his girlfriend, Yuval Sharabi, 17, and her family.

People have been calling to congratulate the family since Tuesday night, Ms. Engel Lichi said on Wednesday morning. But, she added, “We don’t know anything. No official has been in touch to tell us anything.”

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