Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was urged by the families of the five Israeli women soldiers who have been held captive in Gaza since the Hamas strikes on October 7 to reach a deal for their release before to his visit to Washington the following week.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden and address a joint session of the US Congress on July 24 in the face of growing opposition from both home and foreign quarters. In an effort to put further pressure on Netanyahu, the families published updated images of the prisoners.
“Prime Minister, we are begging, we are asking you, please make the deal happen. It can be before the Congress, it can be during the Congress while you’re giving your speech, but the deal must happen now,” said Sasha Ariev, the 24-year-old sister of 19-year-old hostage Karina Ariev.
“First a deal, and only then you can fly. Every day is critical for our daughters and all the hostages. We need you here,” added Shira Elbag, the mother of Liri Elbag.
The families gave a speech at one of the several gatherings they are planning to maintain awareness of the captives among Israelis.
Of the 251 captives that Hamas has captured, 116 remain in Gaza, 42 of whom the Israeli military claims are dead. The extremists abducted a large number of soldiers as they crossed into southern Israel.
For several months, the United States has supported Qatar and Egypt in their efforts to mediate a truce and the release of some hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
However, Netanyahu has been accused by Hamas of trying to undermine a ceasefire agreement by threatening to destroy Hamas in the midst of Israel’s intense military assault on Gaza.
Sunday, the day following a major Israeli strike meant to assassinate Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, a top Hamas official informed AFP that the organization was leaving the ceasefire negotiations but might reappear if Israel modified its stance.
On Tuesday, though, Netanyahu declared his desire to “increase pressure” on Hamas.
Two undated images of the five ladies in custody were released with permission from the families of the five hostages, who are members of the Hostages Families Forum. The soldiers look to be in the early stages of their incarceration based on the photographs. Some are cut and bruised.
“Nine months have passed since my Daniela and the other girls have been held in these conditions, the conditions that can be seen in the photos we published,” said Orly Gilboa, the mother of Daniela Gilboa.
“This is my daughter. Look into her eyes, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister. Meet with us immediately so we can make her voice heard,” said Ayelet Levy, mother of Naama Levy, who appeared to be held separately from the other four. The picture of Levy showed her with one eye closed up and bruised.
“We are waiting for a face-to-face meeting with you to ensure that the negotiations are moving towards a signed deal that will bring Naama and all the hostages back,” said the senior Levy.
