Former hostages urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of those still held captive
Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday in support of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas. Former hostages, some released as part of the seven-day truce that expired Friday, spoke publicly for the first time, in a video played in front of the crowd.
In brief interviews, these four women spoke of their fear, hunger and lack of sleep during their captivity after being kidnapped during the unprecedented October 7 Hamas attack on Israeli soil. Around 1,200 people were killed during the attack, mostly civilians, according to authorities, and 240 others were kidnapped and taken to the Hamas-held Gaza Strip.
“Our daughters have seen things that children of this age, or of any age, should not see”said Danielle Aloni, 45, released on November 24 with her 5-year-old daughter. “Food was not plentiful, and as time passed, there was less of it”said Ditza Heiman, 84, released Tuesday.
The freed hostages urged the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to take all necessary measures to obtain the release of the hostages. “The moral obligation of this government is to bring them home immediately, without hesitation”said Yocheved Lifschitz, 85, who was released in October.
“We need to bring back my Sasha and the rest” detainees, said Elena Trupanov, a hostage released on Wednesday, during the rally, referring to her son, still a hostage. Families want to put even more pressure on the authorities for the release of their loved ones as the Israeli army confirmed on Friday the death of five hostages.