Many Israelis headed out to the streets Tuesday evening to make their voices heard regarding the emerging ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas in Gaza, including thousands who rallied to support it and hundreds who decried it as creating grave future dangers.

Many officials have said this week that a deal to end the 15-month war is around the corner, with 33 hostages to go free in the first, 42-day phase in exchange for a partial Israeli withdrawal and the release of many hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, including more than 150 terrorists serving heavy prison terms for murdering Israelis.

The three-stage deal is envisioned as ultimately securing the release of all the 98 hostages, ending the war and rebuilding Gaza with security mechanisms for Israel.

With Israel apparently signaling approval of the mediators’ final draft agreement, thousands of activists for the hostages packed into Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Tuesday evening, in tense anticipation of Hamas’s answer.

The square hosts a regular “Singing for Their Return” unity rally of prayer and song on Tuesdays, featuring Israeli musicians, which usually draws a few dozen people.

The crowd this week was noticeably larger than previous Tuesdays, hearing performances by well-known artists and featuring former hostage Moran Stella Yanai as well as the father of current hostage Yarden Bibas and other relatives.

The aunt of murdered hostage Omer Neutra called on the audience to recite the Jewish prayer “Shema Yisrael” together, with a resounding “Amen” at the end. She said she was sending strength to the hostage negotiators, with the hope that they would bring home all the remaining hostages.

Soul singer Evyatar Banai sang his 1997 song “I Have a Chance,” stressing the line: “I have a chance to be saved.”

And popular singers Aviv Geffen — identified with the left — and Omer Adam — identified with the right — performed together, with Geffen saying: “Omer and I are........

© The Times of Israel