The families of Israeli hostages say a deal between Hamas and Israel "has to happen" in a plea for the return of their loved ones, as the war enters its fifth month. "Israel will have to make difficult choices. I don't think it has a choice," says the daughter of an elderly man still being held. "Whatever needs to be done to bring the hostages home safely and alive must be done," says the brother-in-law of another hostage. Israel and Hamas have been weighing a proposal, brokered by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators, that would be expected to temporarily halt the fighting and see Gaza hostages freed and Palestinian prisoners released. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES