Key Takeaways:
– A year ago, 80 Israelis were freed from Hamas captivity during a week-long ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
– Ex-hostages urge immediate action to secure a deal for the release of those still being held.
– Repeated attempts to secure another ceasefire and release hostages have been unsuccessful.
– Around 100 hostages are still believed to be trapped in Gaza, with at least a third presumed dead.
– Thousands of Israelis took to the streets in a protest demanding the Israeli government to sign a ceasefire agreement.
Demand for Immediate Action
A year ago, on November 24, 2023, during an extraordinary week-long pause in the Israel-Hamas conflict, 80 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. The former hostages have now urged for immediate action to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Resistance to Truce Negotiations
In the past year, mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have made multiple attempts to secure another truce and negotiate the release of the remaining hostages. However, the lack of seriousness from both parties has resulted in an impasse, leading Qatar to suspend its mediation role earlier this month.
Public Demand for Action
In a public display of frustration, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on November 23, 2024, protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apparent hesitation to sign a ceasefire agreement with Gaza and demand for a hostage swap deal with Palestinians.
Gabriella Leimberg’s Plea
Gabriella Leimberg, who was kidnapped during a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, along with her daughter Mia and sister Clara, highlighted the urgent need for action. “For 53 days,” she shared, “the one thing that kept me going is that we, the people of Israel, the Jewish people, sanctify life — we don’t leave anyone behind. Everything has already been said and now action is required. We don’t have any more time.”
Current Hostage Count
About 100 hostages are still believed to be held in Gaza, with at least a third anticipated to be dead. Leimberg further voiced her worries about the remaining hostages, “I survived and I was fortunate to get my entire family back,” she stated, “I want and demand this for all the families of the hostages.”
Hamas’ Stance
Despite the mounting pressure, Hamas is standing firm in demanding Israel to end the ongoing war and withdraw its troops from Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from the conflict surpassed 44,000 this week, according to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry, as it includes both civilians and combatants.
Danielle Aloni’s Castigation
Also voicing her concerns, Danielle Aloni, a former hostage freed after 49 days, spoke about the worsening conditions for those still captive. Drawing from her personal experience, she detailed the physical, sexual, and psychological abuse endured by those in captivity. Aloni expressed her frustration with the Israeli government’s apparent inertia in securing another deal to liberate the captives.
Last Words from the Hostages
Echoing Aloni’s sentiments, Raz Ben Ami, who was released in the same deal a year ago, lamented about the horrifying conditions faced by the remaining hostages. Her husband, Ohad, is still among those held captive. She appealed fervently for a swift ceasefire to bring back the hostages as quickly as possible.