Loved ones of Israeli hostages thanked President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Sunday for helping reach a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ensuring the last souls held captive in Gaza are saved. He begged the next government to release him.
A rally in front of the Washington Monument on the eve of Trump's inauguration filled with hope as three women were released from Hamas captivity and reunited with their families in Israel after 15 months of hell. Families spoke out.
Noa al-Ghamani, one of 250 Israelis abducted to the Palestinian territories on October 7, 2023, who was rescued in June, said he was “in a state of turmoil” until he was reunited with his abducted partner, who is still in Gaza. are imprisoned,” he said.
“I know what it feels like to be left behind while watching other hostages being released to their families. They are to be released only in the second phase,” she said during a rally in the frigid cold.
“For them, on the other hand, every second feels like the last second of their lives. I know because I was there. That's why we need to put an end to this terrible tragedy and bring all the hostages home to their families.” It is absolutely important that we come to a full and complete agreement. Until Abinathan returns, my mind is in captivity.”
The first phase of the agreement includes the return of 33 hostages during a six-week peace period, and will also free a number of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The second stage would involve recovering the remaining living hostages, but it would require ending the fighting in Gaza, which could be a difficult feat. The third phase will involve returning all dead hostages and starting rebuilding Gaza.
The two countries have been at war since Hamas militants killed 1,200 Israelis more than a year ago, with the Jewish state conducting a military operation in Gaza. Another ceasefire took place in November 2023, only briefly halting fighting.
Liran Burman, brother of hostages Gari and Jib Burman, said every moment their lives are in danger is a moment when their lives are in danger.
“President Trump, I want to thank you for everything you've done to make this deal possible. I'm very relieved that many of the hostages will be coming home soon, but I also want to be relieved that my brothers will be coming home, too. “I think so,” Berman said of his twin brother.
“I have come here to ask, indeed to urge, that this transaction be carried out in its entirety without delay or interruption. My brothers, time is running out.”
One New Yorker who took part in an emotional demonstration walked from the Big Apple to the nation's capital wearing a distinctive jacket.
Jamie, who lives on the Upper East Side, wore a custom-made black trench coat with pictures of all the remaining hostages in Gaza hanging vertically on chains.
She designed this harrowing jacket in response to anti-Israel protesters who brutally tore apart air hostages in the Five Boroughs.
“I think it was insane to see people tearing up posters everywhere,” said the 31-year-old, who said it was “heartbreaking” to see humanity being eroded. He spoke to the Post about it.
“But once you put it on your body, they can't tear it off,” she added triumphantly.
“That was the inspiration behind it.”
The photo includes all of the remaining hostages, while other decals indicate the current status of the other hostages, including whether they have died or been killed in captivity.
“We want to look back on our lives and tell our children that we were here to stand up for our people when they needed it most,” Jamie said.
A giant banner at the rally read, “President Trump – You Can Make It Happen, Bring Us Home Now,” and participants thanked both the incoming Trump White House and the outgoing Biden administration for their efforts in establishing the latest cease-fire. I told him how I felt.
Daniel Neutra, the brother of murdered American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra, praised his loved one for “risking his life to save thousands of hostages.”
Neutra was initially believed to be alive in Gaza, but the Israeli military announced last month that the 21-year-old had been killed and his body taken back to the Palestinian enclave.
“We owe it to him to rescue the people he risked his life to save and bring him home,” he said.
Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and about a third are believed to have died.
