Hostages Families fear for safety after truce expires

The families of hostages held in Gaza have said they are terrified about the safety of their loved ones after the end of a seven-day ceasefire.

- Emine Sinmaz

Fighting resumed yesterday after the expiry of the temporary truce that saw Hamas release 80 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

The relatives of some of the remaining 126 Israeli hostages have said they are torn between joy for those who were released and being worried sick for loved ones still held. 

Shahar Mor Zahiro, whose uncle Avraham Munder, 78, was abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz on 7 October, said: "I'm sad and worried. The return of the fighting, violence and escalation makes me feel scared.

Every time a bomb falls near my uncle we know he can hear it and we are afraid for his life."

Zahiro's family are among the many who were separated during the Hamas attack. Avraham's wife, Ruti Munder, 78, their daughter, Keren, and grandson, Ohad Munder-Zichri, nine, were abducted separately and freed on the first day of the ceasefire.