When reports began emerging early last week that Hamas and Israel appeared on the cusp of signing a ceasefire agreement that would see the release of 33 hostages from Hamas captivity, a surge of emotions welled in the hearts of those who have been keeping the hostages in their thoughts these past 471 days. People felt hope and apprehension, fear and joy, rage and frustration. It seemed to me that many were struggling to interpret how they felt, to make any sense of it.

This is one of the most important periods of the war that began on October 7th, 2023. The deal that has now been signed by both parties will secure the release of the first hostages since November 2023.

Last Thursday, I began documenting this sensitive, emotional period. Between the evening of January 16th and the morning of January 19th, just minutes before the first three hostages were released, I interviewed six people who have held the hostages close to their hearts since their abduction into Gaza.

These six people are Jewish and Gentile, living in America, Belgium, and Israel. One is a child of World War II, another of the post 9-11 era. Some have never been to Israel, others know people who narrowly survived the October 7th massacre, and others know people who were slain.

I have edited these interviews to put them into conversation with each other to reveal the threads that run through all of the conversations, and the areas of departure.

Over this hour, you will hear the participants discuss when this deal began to feel like it might really happen, how the details of the deal complicate the joy of securing the release of the hostages, reflect on the images that have been imprinted in their minds from October 7th and the plight of the hostages, concerns about domestic repercussions of the deal and the resurgence of modern antisemitism, concerns about Israeli domestic security, and their expectations for the future of Israel.

They will also try to predict how they feel when they see the faces of the first hostages returned.

I cannot give enough thanks to Linda, Jenny, John, Alisa, Liraz, and ChayaLeah for entrusting me with their stories, their honesty, and their vulnerability. I can only hope that I did their testimonies justice so that they might serve as a record of this moment for posterity, and that they might help others work through complicated emotions in our own moment.

Inheritance will continue to document people’s experiences over the course of this deal. We have already interviewed four people discussing their reaction immediately following the first hostage release and I intend to release that episode by the end of this week.

The current plan is to document mid-Phase I reflections, post-Phase I reflections, and, if Phases II or III ever materialize, to document those as well.

If you are, or know any members of the hostage families who would like to contribute their stories to this project, they are welcome to email me at [email protected]

Hoping for the safe and speedy return of the remaining 94 hostages still held in Gaza.

Sincerely,

— Nika Scothorne

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More From “An Oral History of the Hostage Deal”

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