Hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are expected to be freed in a ceasefire deal with Israel. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will also be freed.

Yet in the absence of physical, corroborating evidence, Itay's family is still holding ... Swirki's wishes seem implausibly modest: a home, sleep without fear, to hug her children.

Sharon Sharabi, the brother of Eli and Yossi, said he envisions the moment when Eli comes home, and he imagines “the moment when my 76-year-old mother gets Eli back, to hug him." ...