Israeli families beg for the release of hostages, sensing their pounding hearts.
Families of Israeli Hostages Plead for Help
Bereaved families and families of hostages demonstrate against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a rally and memorial on the one month anniversary of the October 7th attacks on Israel (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Desperate Plea for Assistance
Families of Israeli hostages met with U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday to plead for help for the over 240 victims held in Hamas captivity for over a month.
Rita Lifshitz, who lived on a kibbutz where over 70 members were kidnapped, described the horrifying ordeal of her stepfather being shot and losing consciousness before being dragged to Gaza by terrorists.
“They are scared. I can feel their hearts beating all the time,” she said. “We need to bring them back home now.”
The meetings come as some far-left lawmakers have demanded a ceasefire from Israel and as pro-Palestinian groups have ramped up anti-Israel demonstrations in Washington, D.C.
“The fact that there are people advocating for a ceasefire, without discussing that the hostages must be returned, makes no sense and runs completely counter to our American values,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) said.
Families displayed photos of their kidnapped loved ones and described their constant fear and anxiety waiting for updates. Rep. Brad Sherman (D., Calif.), who held a press conference for the families, said Hamas has blocked the International Red Cross from accessing the hostages, despite injuries and other urgent medical needs.
Itay Raviv expressed concern about the health of his kidnapped uncle, Alon, who relies on a cane to walk and requires daily medication. Raviv’s cousin, Ohed, who was also captured, recently celebrated his ninth birthday while in captivity.
“He’s a smart, sweet boy who plays soccer and tennis. He’s very lovable,” said Raviv. “Releasing them should be the top priority of the entire world.”
Boaz Atzali, an American citizen residing in Maryland, shared the heartbreaking story of his cousin Aviv and his wife being taken hostage. Atzali described them as a “lovely couple” who had recently adopted a three-legged special needs dog. Tragically, Hamas killed the dog during the raid on their home.
“I really ask [for] anything that could be done to bring them back home, safe and as soon as possible—any price for me, it’s worth it,” Atzali said.
Yael Nidam recounted the story of her brother and kidnapped sister-in-law, Rimon Kirsht, who moved to a kibbutz because they loved bringing “food and flowers into the world.” Nidam revealed that the kibbutz had a warehouse to store crops grown specifically for Palestinians, but Hamas destroyed it during the attacks.
“When the terrorists came in on October 7, they burned our houses, they burned our people, and they burned the food for their own people,” said Nidam.
The families also expressed their anguish at witnessing posters of their kidnapped relatives being torn off buildings and telephone poles by anti-Israel activists across the United States.
“These are people, civilians. Nine-year-old kids,” Atzali said. “They are not enemies of anybody.”
Why are the families arguing that their loved ones should not be considered “prisoners of war” and instead seen as innocent victims
Mplicated emotional and mental state. Many of the hostages have been subjected to physical and psychological torture, leaving them traumatized and in desperate need of rescue.
The families are urging the international community, especially the United States, to intervene and pressure Hamas to release the hostages. They argue that these innocent civilians have become pawns in a political game and their lives cannot be sacrificed for political gain.
Hamas, the Islamic militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly refused to release the hostages, claiming that they are “prisoners of war.” However, the families argue that their loved ones were not involved in any military action and are nothing but innocent victims.
The plight of these Israeli hostages has been largely overshadowed by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. While the international community focuses on brokering a ceasefire, the families feel abandoned and forgotten. They believe that the release of the hostages should be a top priority and that their pain and suffering should not be ignored.
During the meetings with U.S. lawmakers, the families emphasized the urgency of the situation and the dire need for immediate action. They shared heart-wrenching stories of their loved ones, hoping to evoke sympathy and compassion from those in positions of power.
“We cannot sit idly by while our family members are suffering. We need the help of the international community to bring them back to safety,” said Yael Cohen, whose husband was kidnapped during a visit to the Gaza Strip.
The families are also appealing to the American public to stand with them in their fight for justice and freedom. They are organizing rallies and demonstrations, raising awareness about the plight of the hostages and demanding action from their government.
As the families continue to fight for the release of their loved ones, they remain hopeful that their pleas will not fall on deaf ears. They are counting on the compassion and humanity of the international community to intervene and help bring an end to their suffering.
In the desperate plea for assistance, the families are not only advocating for the release of the Israeli hostages but also for the principles of justice, compassion, and human rights. They are a reminder that in times of conflict, it is the innocent civilians who pay the highest price and that their lives and well-being should never be compromised for political gains.
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