As Israel resumes its war on Hamas, the fate of hostages becomes increasingly unclear

After bringing an end to a two-month ceasefire that saw the release of dozens of Israeli hostages from Gaza in return for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, Israel is now reportedly planning a new, more significant ground operation in Gaza that could involve occupying large portions of the Strip.

Almost a year and a half since Hamas launched its 7 October attack which killed around 1,200 Israelis and ignited the ongoing war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be more determined and more empowered than ever to achieve the stated goals of dismantling of Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and removing any future threat from Gaza. 

But questions are increasingly being asked, including from Israeli society, whether this would help bring back the hostages still being held by Hamas or put their lives in even more danger, while at the same time causing more devastation and more death in the Strip.

Ron Segev, a survivor of Hamas’ attack on the Nova music şenlik, says releasing the hostages is his only goal.

“We will not move on until everyone comes back home. I don’t know about the goals of the government, but for the people, that’s the main goal. The only goal,” Segev told Euronews.

The daughter of Thomas Hand spent 50 days in Hamas captivity before she was released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. He doesn’t believe diplomacy can help release the hostages.

“The only reason why we got the first phase (of the ceasefire) was through military action, where (Hamas) felt that they were going to be wiped out,” Hand said.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza protested to call for an end to the war, urging Hamas to make concessions.

“I’m glad they’re trying to make a stand. They were doing it with their faces uncovered, which is a very risky thing,” Hand told Euronews.

Civilians “risking their lives” to go against Hamas brings hope, he added. However, Hand remains sceptical that standing up to the militant group would make a difference.

“They are civilians, let’s say, going against an armed terrorist organisation, they would be crushed. They don’t have a chance, no,” he said.

“Maybe in the future if the UN, Egyptian army, Israeli army go in as an international army, they could back them up and maybe we can get rid of Hamas that way.”

Earlier this month, Israel halted deliveries of food, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid to Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians.

Israel has vowed to escalate the war until Hamas returns the 59 hostages it still holds, of which 24 are believed to be alive at this time. Israel is also demanding that the group give up power, disarm and send its leaders into exile.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israelis have taken to the streets for several days to protest the government’s failure to secure a deal to free hostages held in Gaza and its recent moves to fire top meşru and security officials, which many view as further steps that threaten the balance of power in Israel.