On the evening of Wednesday, November 22, an almost eerie silence reigned in the places where families and supporters of hostages usually gather, in central Tel Aviv. These makeshift HQs usually have completely different energies. In one, in Art Museum Square, the atmosphere is normally one of flowers, candles, art installations and concerts. In the other, wedged between the Kirya – the military command headquarters – and an eight-lane boulevard, there are typically furious bells ringing, shouting, placards and palpable tension, designed to put pressure on the leaders.

Now, suddenly, the air seemed to have become still, the quiet before the storm. Everyone appeared to be holding their breath before the entry into force of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Laboriously negotiated through the mediation of Qatar, the United States and Egypt, the text provides for an initial four-day truce, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the release of 50 hostages. Some 30 children and 20 women could be released in successive groups.

The four-day ceasefire was expected to begin on Thursday morning, but the head of Israel's National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, said on Wednesday night that the hostages would not be released "before Friday" and that negotiations were "advancing and continuing constantly." Who will be on these lists? And who drew up the lists in the first place? Nobody among those close to the kidnapped to this avalanche of crucial questions seems to have an answer. One thing that was certain: Everyone was trembling. Some with hope, like Hadas Kalderon, a Franco-Israeli survivor from the kibbutz of Nir Oz, whose two children are being held by Hamas. Others with terror. And many, no doubt, with a little of both.

Thirty children is less than the total number abducted by Hamas around the Gaza Strip on October 7. Although the exact number has not been made public, it is thought to be between 38 and 40. Some, therefore, will not be included in this first phase of the agreement. Instead of rejoicing at the forthcoming deadline, one of the members of the Bring Them Home organization, which provides aid to families, expressed his apprehension with a weary, worried tone: "The last three days have been terrible, because of the uncertainty that is undermining everyone, but the next few are likely to be even more so."

A terrifying game of Russian roulette has been set in motion, as the families have often pointed out, suspecting Hamas of deliberately playing with their nerves. All the more so as Hamas has cast further doubt on the matter, claiming that it needs time to find the captives. Many are said to be scattered all over Gaza, and some are being held by other groups or even private individuals.

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