Debra Tice wrote to the Israeli prime minister that her family had “credible information” that Austin Tice may be held in a prison outside Damascus, in an area where Israel had been conducting military operations.

Asked Sunday if Timmerman's misidentification was a moment of false hope, Debra Tice instead characterized it as a moment of joy to be shared. Timmerman has said he had traveled into Syria for a spiritual mission earlier this year and was arrested for entering the country illegally.

Austin Tice disappeared 12 years ago while on a reporting trip in Syria. It was later discovered that Tice was kidnapped. He is believed to be the only American journalist held captive abroad. Does the ousting of Assad in Syria bode well for Tice’s release?