The Israeli-American cousin of six hostages held by Hamas is relieved that the mastermind of the October 7 Israeli massacre has died, but the Israeli government has released the terror group's remaining prisoners. I am concerned that we are not doing enough to make this happen.
“For more than a year, we have been abandoned by a government that has prioritized military goals and political power over reaching a deal to save the men, women and children who are being tortured and rotting in the dark, damp tunnels beneath Gaza. “We've been under a lot of pressure,” Alana Zaichik said. They had three cousins and children kidnapped by Hamas last year.
Zejchik was among about 100 people who gathered in Central Park on Sunday during the height of Sukkot to express support for Israel. This year coincided with the Israeli military's removal of Yahya Sinwar, who was killed while on a routine patrol in Rafah on Wednesday.
But Zaichik warned that Sinwar's death was not a time to celebrate, but rather to end the violence and bring the remaining hostages home alive and safe.
“Hostages who could have been saved were executed in captivity, sacrificed for an endless military operation that caused too much suffering,” she said, adding that the ongoing war in Gaza has disrupted Israeli society. He said it had been “pulverized”. And “the whole region is suffering.”
Zejcik's cousins and their young children, twin girls aged 3 and a girl aged 5, were abducted on October 7 last year. The children and one of their parents were released during a brief cease-fire agreement last winter, but her cousins, David Cunio and Ariel Cunio, remain in Hamas captivity.
“The only thing that will free us from this never-ending nightmare is the safe return of all remaining hostages,” she said. “Each one of them is uniquely worth celebrating. So now is the time, as always, to be courageous and hold Israel's leaders accountable for every life we can save through diplomacy.” It's time to do it.”
Dana Weigrach, one of the organizers of Sunday's event, agreed that Shinwar's death is not the time to lose focus on the ultimate goal in Gaza.
“Israel got rid of him. That's good news. It's good news that this terrible terrorist, this mastermind of mass murder, is no longer alive,” Weigurach said. “But this is not a complete victory for Israel. This is important for us. We convey this message and we say it again: this is not a complete victory.
“The only victory for us, for Israel, for the Jewish people and for their families, is if the 101 hostages are able to return home,” Weigurach added. “This isn't a victory and we can't celebrate until we all go home.”
