New Jersey native not in first phase of hostages being released by Hamas, father says
PATERSON, N.J. — The father of a New Jersey native who is being held hostage by Hamas is hopeful about the ceasefire deal announced Wednesday, even though he says his son will not be among the first wave of those released.
Under phase one of the deal, Hamas will release the first of 33 hostages on Sunday, starting with three and continuing over six weeks – mostly women, children and the wounded to start.
Negotiations will resume on the 16th day of phase one of the deal about the next set of exchanges of the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
"Things could fall apart at that point, if there's no agreement on the prisoners, on the numbers, or on the specific Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for specific hostages," said Professor Mohamed Bazzi, director of New York University's Center for Near Eastern Studies.
New Jersey native Edan Alexander not on humanitarian list
Seven Americans are among the Israeli hostages that have been held in Gaza, including 21-year-old Tenafly native Edan Alexander. He was last seen in a Hamas propaganda video released in November.
"Our son is not on the humanitarian list, that these are the first to go, so we have to sit tight and see what is exactly happening and how soon we will see him," father Adi Alexander said.
Negotiations will resume on the 16th day of the first stage to reach an agreement for all remaining hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war.
"I hope they not going to wait 16 days to start the negotiations. We, I have a feeling it will be starting immediately," Alexander said. "And not the small batches of three or four a week. Everybody on the same bus, maybe two buses and we done."
For now, Alexander has this message for his son: "Keep praying, stay strong and you will be out really, really, really soon."
American Sagui Dekel-Chen set to be released in first phase, CBS News confirms
CBS News confirms one of the Americans set to be released in the first phase is Sagui Dekel-Chen.
"The sooner that Sagui comes home, he can be reunited with his three little girls, one of whom he has never met. She was born two months after the massacre in our home," father Jonathan Dekel-Chen said.
Dekel-Chen says he feels cautiously optimistic.
"Clearly it took force of will from a combination of the Biden and the incoming Trump administration to get to this point," he said.
Brooklyn native holding out hope son is still alive
Brooklyn native Ruby Chen says the ceasefire agreement is bittersweet. He says his son Itay, who was serving in the Israeli Defense Forces on Oct. 7, 2023, is also not on the list for release in phase one.
"There's no guarantee the first phase will lead to the second phase," Chen said. "We the families have been urging the negotiators to ... make sure that everybody indeed comes out, as well as ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
The IDF told Chen's family that Itay is likely not alive, but they are holding out hope.
"We are proud New Yorkers. I am a proud New York Knicks fan. For the love of God, I do not know how he became a Celtics fan, but we're missing those types of conversations," Chen said.
Families of the American hostages will be attending President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. They say they are scheduled to have several meetings with administration officials.
"I have this vision that maybe President Trump will be able to say to me, 'Mr. Chen, your son is on his way,' so I'm keeping that kind of hope up, that me and my family can be reunited with our son," Chen said.
He says it's time for the next chapter.
"This is really a deal with the devil"
The parents of Omer Neutra, an IDF soldier from Long Island, say the deal is necessary even though they learned late last year their son had been killed.
"He needs to come back so that he can get a proper burial, dignified burial that he deserves," mother Orna Neutra said.
"This is a, really a deal with the devil," father Ronen Neutra said.
Family members of hostages who have spoken to CBS News New York say they feel every single person that is still alive should be considered a humanitarian case.
For now, President Joe Biden said the deal will allow for more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"People need to live in peace"
The ceasefire deal is the talk of the town in Paterson's Little Palestine neighborhood. Palestine Hair Salon owner Raed Odeh said some residents have lost hundreds of relatives in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023.
"Is it going to start within the next few days? We're not sure yet, but of course, we are so excited to hear that enough of the killing," he said.
"I think that it's really great for it to stop because people need to live in peace," Paterson resident Adam Sawid said.
"They proposed a ceasefire a few times, but hopefully they stick to it. We'll see what happens," Paterson resident Nassar Abedrabbo said.
He says a 14-year-old relative was murdered last year during Ramadan.
"He ended up leaving before it was time to break fast ... and then he ended up getting shot," he said. "And I believe when they came to the house, they, they arrested his older brother."
Peace on both sides is the hope.
"We would like for peace to take place and remain forever," Odeh said.