Gaza war
Netanyahu’s wife intervenes in fight over hostage deal
Sara Netanyahu calls for the release of the Israeli hostages in a letter. photo
© Abir Sultan/EPA POOL/AP/dpa
Qatar, Egypt and the USA have been mediating between Hamas and Israel for weeks. The aim is a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages. Now the wife of Israel’s prime minister is getting involved.
This is now also trying with an unusual initiative Wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. Sara Netanyahu wrote a letter to the mother of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Mosa Nasser Al Missned.
“I urge you, in the spirit of Ramadan, to use your great influence to push for the release of the Israeli hostages,” Sara Netanyahu wrote in the letter, which was posted on her husband’s account on the X (formerly Twitter) platform became. Qatar is playing an important mediating role in negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“We cannot remain silent or stand back when the dignity and safety of women are at stake,” Sara Netanyahu continued. “It is important to address from woman to woman that among the hostages, 19 women are enduring unimaginable suffering. The reports of sexual abuse and rape are horrific and such acts against women cannot be ignored or tolerated.” This is a call to action that goes beyond political boundaries and “appeals to our common humanity and our shared values.”
Israel assumes there are 132 remaining hostages
The Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani has direct contact with the Hamas leaders. At the end of February he met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. Qatar, Egypt and the USA have been mediating between Hamas and Israel for weeks. The mediators hoped to reach an agreement by the start of Ramadan. In addition to a ceasefire, there is also an exchange of hostages who were kidnapped from Israel by Hamas in the terrorist attack on October 7th for Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody. In addition, more humanitarian aid should be delivered to the suffering population in the Gaza Strip.
Israel believes that 132 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip. According to government figures, 31 people are believed to be no longer alive.