A group of relatives to Israelis taken hostages by Hamas at its surprise terrorist attack on 7 October visited Brussels this week to meet with EU representatives and plead for their support for the release of all hostages.
There are still 134 hostages left in captivity in Gaza after a previous hostage-prisoners deal but their fate is unknown and even agreed medicines have not reached them. Many of them have presumably died or been killed by Hamas during the war and time is running out for saving those who still are alive. Reports about a new hostage-prisoners deal in the making have until now proven to be unfounded.
Omri Miran, 46, was abducted by Hamas from kibbutz Nachal Oz on 7 October. His father Dani told journalists in Brussels about the day when it happened. The last he heard from his son was at 10:40 in the morning. Omri’s wife, Lishay, and their two small daughters survived and were not taken as hostages but were held under gunpoint by five terrorists in their home.
”Since then, we are living in a nightmare but Omri is in hell,” Lishay said. “I’m trying to be strong for the sake of our children. My two-year old daughter is going out every evening wishing her dad good night.” Dani identifies himself completely with his captive son and imagines every day the horrific situation he finds himself.
The terrorists killed all in their way and took men, women, and children of all ages as hostages. For some reason his daughter-in law and grandchildren were spared. He believes that those who kidnapped his family were believing Muslims who respected the Quran’s injunction against killing women and children.
Rom Braslavski, 19, was working as a security guard at the Nova music festival where more than 360 civilians were gunned down by the terrorists. He helped and saved others until he was injured and taken as a hostage.
“I’m crying every time I see his picture,” his mother Tammy said. “I can’t describe what I feel inside my heart. My heart is bleeding. I want to scream to the world: don’t let them stay there.”
Yagev Buschtab, 35, a musician, was abducted from kibbutz Nirim together with his wife Rimon. She was released on 28 November as part of a hostage deal linked to a temporary humanitarian pause. Rimon did not want to leave Yagev behind but had no choice.
“They were left alone without any help when they were abducted - it cannot happen again,” his sister Nofar said. In a message in Hebrew to the Israeli government she said that she was sorry that the government had not done enough to bring all the hostages home. Still, she trusts that the government will do more to bring about the release of the hostages and agree to a new deal.
Oz Daniel (19), a guitar player who dreamt of becoming a musician, was also abducted by Hamas. His parents and twin brother are eagerly waiting for his safe return. “He never did any wrongdoing. The moment Hamas releases the hostages, there will be less casualties on both sides”, his father said, referring to the ceasefire which a hostage deal would require.
Dolev Yehud, 35, was taken hostage from kibbutz Nir Oz, where a quarter of the residents were killed or taken as hostages. He is married with four children. His wife, Sigal, gave birth to their fourth child while he still is held captive. She named the newborn daughter Dor, with the letters of Dolev’s name to symbolize the continuity of life.
His father said that he has not heard anything about him since he was taken, not even if any medicines have arrived to him. “We haven’t got anything in return for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he said. Some of the aid has reportedly been stolen by Hamas. “We are also protesting against our own government but we need also to do it abroad.”
European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, meeting Dani Miran, father of one of the hostages taken by Hamas. “Every hostage must be released immediately and unconditionally. Bring them home now!” Credit: Varhelyi/X
Indirect contacts on a hostage-prisoners deal between the two sides via the mediation of the US, Egypt and Qatar continue. There is still hope that a solution can be found concerning the two main sticking points – the number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel to be swapped in return for the hostages in the first phase of a deal and the duration of the ceasefire.
The EU reiterates its call on Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. On Monday, the EU issued a statement supported by all member states besides Hungary, calling on the Israeli government “not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.” 1.4 million civilians have taken refuge in the town at the border with Egypt.
“This requires an immediate humanitarian pause which will lead to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid,” the statement says.
The statement was not published by the European External Action Service (EEAS) because it was not formally adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council. Hungary opposed it because of the call for a permanent ceasefire before all hostages have been released, an EU source told The Brussels Times.
Haim Regev, the Israeli ambassador to the EU and NATO, declined to discuss the parameters of a possible hostage deal but said that all options are on the table. “We want the world to understand that all the hostages have to be released,” he said. “We aren’t against humanitarian pauses. We are willing to stop the war but we want to see the hostages back home as soon as possible.”
M. Apelblat
The Brussels Times
