Hoping for liberation

Will Hamas hostages finally be released?

Around 130 people are said to still be in Hamas captivity.(Bild: APA/AFP/AHMAD GHARABLI)

On Sunday - exactly six months after the bloody attack by the Islamist Hamas - Israel reduced the number of ground troops in the southern Gaza Strip. The negotiations on a ceasefire and the release of Hamas hostages are now apparently finally moving forward.

At talks taking place in the Egyptian capital Cairo between Israel and the radical Islamic terrorist organization Hamas, several controversial points were discussed and "significant progress" was made.

The main issues are a possible ceasefire and the release of hostages still being held by Hamas. 

Hamas demand withdrawal of Israelis
The Egyptian TV station Al-Kahera News, which is close to the state, reports that the "terms of the agreement" are to be "finalized" soon. However, Hamas has emphasized that it will not back down from its demand for a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. 

Around 130 people are said to still be in Hamas captivity.(Bild: APA/AFP/AHMAD GHARABLI)

Aviva S. (r.) was held captive by Hamas for weeks. Together with her daughter Elan (l.) and hundreds of supporters, she is fighting ceaselessly for the release of her husband and the other 129 or so hostages.(Bild: AP)

Many people miss and mourn their loved ones. There are regular protests, which are primarily directed against Israel's head of government Netanyahu.(Bild: AP)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AP)

(Bild: APA/AFP/AHMAD GHARABLI)

(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: APA/AFP/David GANNON)

Israel, on the other hand, has made it clear that there would be "no ceasefire" without the release of the hostages. Around 130 people are said to still be held by Hamas. For months, there have been incessant protests in Israel against Benjamin Netanyahu's government and its hesitant approach in this case.

Netanyahu, however, said that he would not give in to "extreme" demands. In principle, however, the government is ready for further talks.

The people in the Gaza Strip are suffering from hunger.(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

USA puts Israel under pressure
Israel only reduced the number of soldiers in the Gaza Strip at the weekend in order to relieve reservists and is also under increasing pressure from its ally Washington to improve the humanitarian situation - especially after the killing of seven employees of an aid organization.

US President Joe Biden has urged the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to persuade Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal before a new round of talks begins in Cairo.

Catastrophic health system and food situation
The situation for the people in the Gaza Strip is extremely difficult. There is a lack of food, medicine and shelter, and a humanitarian emergency is looming. The famine will probably break out in the northern Gaza Strip by May, it was reported in mid-March. By July, the famine could spread across the entire region. The health system has practically collapsed.