By Michal Yaakov Itzhaki and Janis Laizans
KFAR SAVA, Israel (Reuters) - News that Israel and Hamas have reached a hostage release deal after 15 months of war in Gaza is bittersweet for Ruth Strum -- one of her sons is expected to be freed, but a second will be left behind in captivity for now.
"It is not easy for a mother to hear this," Strum told Reuters, wearing a red t-shirt emblazoned with photos of her two burly sons and the plea: "Bring Iair and Eitan home".
Although she has no information on their whereabouts in the heavily bombarded Gaza Strip, Strum said she was sure they had been kept together.
"But what will happen at the moment when they will be separated and told that one is coming out and one is not?" she said, her voice quivering. "I know that their strength is to be together, to be there for each other."
Eitan Horn, 38, was staying with his brother Iair Horn, 46, at his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, near the Gaza fence, when Hamas launched its surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The two men were seized and dragged into the Palestinian enclave along with 249 other Israelis and foreigners, triggering a war that has devastated Gaza.
Some 98 hostages are still in captivity, but under the terms of Wednesday's ceasefire, only 33 will be released over the next six weeks, including women and children, men over 50 and sick or wounded people. This suggests Iair might not be well, although there has been no word about his health.
The handover of the remaining 65, some of whom are believed to be dead, is due to be negotiated subsequently.
Since the abduction of Iair and Eitan, Ruth has clung to fragments of information about them. The last confirmation of their well-being came during a brief truce in November 2023, when some released hostages mentioned seeing the brothers alive.
"They said that they were not injured," she recounted. "At first, they were held in an apartment but were later moved to the tunnels."
KEEPING OPTIMISTIC
Strum says she talks to them aloud all time, as though they were still with her.
"I ask them to wait just a little longer, it will happen and you will be back with us. I ask for their forgiveness, for all the time that has passed in which they are not back here."
The family originally came from Argentina, but immigrated to Israel to set down roots in Jewish communities. The bushy-bearded Eitan lives with his mother in the centre of the country while Iair embraced community living in a kibbutz.
"I have been optimistic from the first day, despite the ups and downs," said Ruth.
She has thrown herself tirelessly into campaigning for the release of all the hostages, whose faces are plastered on posters across Israel, covering bus stops, stapled to trees and wrapped around lampposts.
"It's true that I cry and that I am angry, but I feel that there is no point in falling, staying in bed and not wanting to see anybody, or talk, or do anything," she said.
"I want all 98 hostages to be brought home," she said, making a direct plea to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom critics say has been too hesitant to strike a deal with Hamas. "I ask you, Bibi, do everything. The people are with you. You have the support to make this happen."
While she prepares for Iair's return, Ruth allows herself to imagine the moment when both sons will be reunited with her. "I picture us together in the hospital, that I'll be able to give them everything they need," she said.
"I’m waiting for that embrace."