PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Segalit and Yohanan Berlinerblaw have spent the past month watching the Israeli-Hamas War diligently through Israeli television in their home west of Boca Raton.
"Twelve to 14 hours a day," Segalit Berlinerblaw said. "Like, I'll wake up in the middle of the night because I know something's going to happen."
On Sunday, Hamas released 17 hostages, including a 4-year-old American girl, while Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners in return. It's the third handover of hostages during the four-day cease-fire.
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Segalit Berlinerblaw said she woke up early in the morning multiple times to watch the hostages, which Hamas took after an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, return to Israel this weekend.
“This is very mixed feeling," she said. about the deal. "I’ve never felt this feeling in my life.”
That because's she was concerned for the other hostages, who weren't released this weekend. She also has family members and friends who are still in the county.
"My sister she’s a refugee in her own country," Segalit said. "She cannot go back to her house. She might not have a house to go back too.”
Sami Kakli, who is the president of the South Florida Muslim Federation, said he also has mixed feelings about the deal to free hostages in return for a four-day cease-fire and Palestinian prisoners.
He said he believes leaders in the United States didn’t act fast enough to stop the conflict and wants the pause in fighting to become permanent.
“I wish it came sooner and I hope President Biden makes it a lasting cease-fire and a permanent solution to the conflict,” Kakli said.
