The families of four hostages still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip marked a solemn milestone on Sunday, exactly six months since Palestinian militants invaded southern Israel and kidnapped around 240 people.
Former hostage Aviva Siegel and her family spoke to The Hill on Sunday ahead of a large rally in Washington, D.C., urging all parties involved in war negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach an immediate agreement. I called out. That will free our loved ones in Gaza.
Yaden Gonen, the sister of hostage Romi Gonen, 23, said she appreciated the work negotiators were doing to free the hostages, but added that “they can do more.” added.
“We encourage them and [pushing] they should do more. We know they can do more,” she said. She said, “Everyone says they’re doing their best…but they’re not here yet, which means we’re not trying hard enough.”
Orna Neutra, mother of hostage Omer Neutra, 22, said the rally was important in pressuring the U.S. government and other parties toward a deal.
“The need to reach an agreement agreed to by all parties is more urgent than ever,” he said.
Former hostage Aviva Siegel was released in the ceasefire in November, but her husband Keith Siegel, 64, remains in Gaza. Aviva said she was still concerned when she heard the news that some of her hostages had died.
“I’m so scared that something like that could happen” to our loved ones, she said.
A temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at the end of November freed dozens of hostages, but 134 people are still being held in Gaza, with about 100 believed to be still alive along the coast.
In addition to releasing the hostages, Israel has a stated goal of destroying Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 attack (in which approximately 1,200 people were killed by Palestinian fighters) to ensure that that day is never repeated. is listed.
But the twin goals of freeing the hostages and defeating Hamas appear increasingly contradictory, complicating the elusive negotiations underway between the United States, Qatar, Israel, and Hamas over securing a hostage release agreement and ceasefire. It highlights that.
Hamas is calling for a permanent ceasefire, but Israel rejects its terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel must continue the war to defeat Hamas, and current negotiators appear far from reaching an agreement.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Sunday cited the twin goals of freeing hostages and destroying Hamas, admitting that “there is no easy way to achieve that.” However, he stressed that Israel must destroy Hamas.
“Generally speaking, the goal is to defeat Hamas,” he told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria. “This war cannot end as long as Hamas remains standing.”
However, Yaden Gonen said the hostages were in an urgent situation and it was vital that they be extricated as soon as possible.
“We don’t need complex agreements with lots of statements and rules and things like that,” she said. “If Hamas releases the hostages, there will be a ceasefire.”
He added: “The first step in the fight against terrorism is to free all hostages.”
Omer’s father, Ronen Neutra, said he did not know if the hostages were a top priority for negotiating governments, especially Israel, but said they should be a “top priority.”
Families are working tirelessly to demand the release of their loved ones, traveling the world and meeting with officials to pressure world leaders and raise awareness.
“It’s insane that we have to do all these things and all these meetings for something so obvious,” said Elan Siegel, whose father was kidnapped Keith Siegel.
For the family, they are constantly worried about their loved ones, and the days are unbearable.
For Michael Levy, the brother of 33-year-old hostage Ol Levy, the depressing six-month milestone means little.
“Every day since October 7th has been the worst day of my life,” he said. “My life stopped there.”
“Every day is a nightmare,” said Yaden Gonen, concerned about how her sister was being treated. New York Times article The article detailed how freed hostages reported being sexually abused while in captivity.
“It’s like a nightmare come true. And if no one screamed enough to get us out of there after the New York Times article, it’s an even worse nightmare than it is now,” she said. “Every day I wake up and know that my spirit is falling apart,” he added. Her sister has already been kidnapped. ”
Up to 2,000 people took part in Sunday’s rally in support of the families of the hostages, calling for a ceasefire and an immediate agreement to ensure the release of the hostages.
Speaking at the rally was Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who called for the immediate release of the hostages as “part of a comprehensive agreement.”
“Taking hostages is a war crime. Taking hostages is a crime against humanity.” “We claim that Hamas has released the hostages.
“We say to all governments of the world that the freedom, security and peace of hostages and all civilians is the most ethical imperative and consideration at this time,” he continued. “It takes precedence over all other political and ideological agendas.”
Six months later, the war in Gaza has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. More than 33,000 Palestinians have died there, and critical aid supplies such as food, water and medicine are severely lacking.
As the situation worsens, international pressure is mounting for an immediate ceasefire to end the suffering in Gaza.
President Biden faces calls for an immediate ceasefire from Arab Americans, young voters and progressives. These groups have protested against him at polling places during the primary election and are threatening similar action in November.
In Israel, Netanyahu’s government faced massive demonstrations in late March as families of hostages demanded the release of their loved ones amid growing frustration over the lack of a new agreement.
Hostage families say a ceasefire requires humanitarian protection from all sides and also means the release of their loved ones.
“Human rights should be for everyone and not apply only to one side,” said Yaden Gonen. “We support humanitarian aid [for Gaza] However, only if it affects both parties. Any call for a ceasefire now should be conditioned on the immediate release of all hostages. ”
Eran Siegel added that the hostages were a “humanitarian story” because many of them were civilians.
“People were kidnapped from their homes,” she said of Oct. 7. “They were innocent. They were taken in one day for no reason.”
Former hostage Aviva Siegel said those held in Gaza lost their human rights while in captivity.
“Hamas took away their human rights,” she said. “World leaders need to wake up now and understand that mothers should not do this. [see] Their children were killed. ”
“I was there too,” she added. “I think this is the worst thing that could happen to anyone.”
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