The mother of Omer Neutra, a 22-year-old American from Long Island, New York, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, has a message for those calling on Israel to halt military operations.
“Bringing back the hostages should be the first priority. It should be the world’s first priority. Anyone who wants to de-escalate tensions in the region should start by saying, ‘Release the hostages.'” Any unaccompanied verdict or request for a ceasefire is a death sentence for them,” said Orna Neutra on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“When it comes to what’s happening in Israel, it’s wide-ranging and everyone feels like more needs to be done,” she continued. “Everyone wants more from government. You know, people and different families have different perspectives on how to achieve that, and that’s what we’re seeing. is.”
Host Jake Tapper criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not giving enough priority to securing the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas as the country marks six months since the attack on southern Israel. I asked Nnoitra’s family if they were willing to respond to criticism.
Israel withdraws all ground forces from southern Gaza, leaving only one IDF brigade in enclave
Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of American hostage Omer Neutra, speak at a press conference with families of American hostages in Gaza and elected officials in New York, April 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
“I can’t believe that six months later, we’re sitting here now, having to go through the horrors every day,” said Omer’s father, Ronen Neutra. “Every day we wake up and say, “What are we doing to bring our son home?” and we feel like we’re failing. [the] 6 month mark. we can’t believe it. ”
Neutra’s older brother, Daniel, described Neutra as “a strong, friendly, wonderful person. He’s just a really funny guy. And he’s received so many compliments from his youth group, from his school, from so many different places.” “People have contacted me. Hundreds of people have just contacted me.” ”
The interview took place as a Hamas delegation led by the Gaza terror group’s chief of staff, Khalil al-Haya, is scheduled to visit Cairo on Sunday to begin talks on a possible ceasefire, Reuters reported. . CIA Director Bill Burns is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Saturday night, sources told Reuters. The Israeli delegation and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will also participate in the talks, which will be led by Egyptian mediators, Egypt’s Al-Kahera News reported.
Six months on, dissatisfaction is growing in Israel. Anti-government protests have spread, fueling anger over what some see as the government’s inaction to help free the remaining 130 or so hostages, about a quarter of whom Israel says He is said to have died. According to the Associated Press.
Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of American hostage Omer Neutra, speak during a press conference with families of American hostages in Gaza and elected officials on April 5, 2024, in New York. He holds up his son’s sign. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Hamas-led militants took about 250 prisoners and killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they crossed into Israel from Gaza on October 7.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had withdrawn troops from the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, ending a key phase of the ground offensive against Hamas and bringing the military presence in the area to one of its lowest levels since the ground operation began.
Biden threatens Israel with war in Gaza, extremists rise within new Palestinian Authority
Military officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to military policy that “substantial forces” remain in Gaza, preserving the military’s “freedom of action” to continue targeted operations across the Strip. He said he intended to do so. It became Israel’s main focus for several months.
Israeli soldiers prepare their tanks near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on April 7, 2024. (Amir Levi/Getty Images)
Still, the withdrawal was an important milestone, given that Israel and Hamas have been engaged in six months of fighting. Israeli officials said the 98th Airborne was recovering and preparing for future operations. Israel previously claimed it had disbanded Hamas forces in Khan Yunis, the hometown of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Israel has vowed to carry out a ground offensive on Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, considered the last stronghold of Hamas, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that victory meant “the elimination of Hamas from the entire Gaza Strip, including Rafah.” I told the Cabinet that this meant. However, Rafah shelters around 1.4 million people, more than half of Gaza’s population. The prospect of an attack has raised alarm worldwide, including in the United States, Israel’s biggest ally, and calls for a credible plan to protect civilians. Allowing people to return to nearby Khan Yunis could ease some of the pressure on Rafah.
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White House National Security Press Secretary John Kirby told ABC that the US believes Israel’s partial withdrawal “is really just a rest and re-equipment of troops that have been there for four months, and that’s not necessarily the case.” “Instead, it suggests that some troops will come,” he said. A new strategy for these troops. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
