Pic credit- The Times of Israel
In the aftermath of a tragic incident in Gaza, families with hostages are urgently appealing to Israel, urging the nation to halt hostilities and enter negotiations for the release of their loved ones. Recently, the Israeli army acknowledged the “mistaken” killing of three captives during an operation in Palestinian territory.
The admission that these three hostages, who were carrying a white flag and had pleaded for help in Hebrew, has heightened the anguish of their families. The revelation of their tragic fate sparked widespread protests in Israel, further deepening the anxieties of relatives with loved ones still in captivity.
Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, delivered a poignant message at an event organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv. “We only receive lifeless bodies. We implore you to cease the conflict and initiate negotiations,” she passionately urged.
Ruby Chen, the father of 19-year-old soldier Itai, one of the captives, expressed the profound anxiety gripping these families. “We feel as though we’re playing a perilous game of chance, anxiously awaiting news of whose turn it will be to receive the devastating announcement of their loved one’s loss,” he declared.
Chen underscored the frustration experienced by families, recalling earlier assurances from authorities. “They initially assured us that the ground operation would ensure the return of the abductees,” he shared. “However, this approach has proven ineffective, as those returning have been seen but, sadly, not among the living. It’s high time to reconsider this strategy,” he urged.
The October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel led to the abduction of about 250 individuals, resulting in a devastating episode that claimed the lives of approximately 1,140 people, primarily civilians, according to Israeli figures. In response, Israel launched a substantial offensive with the goal of dismantling Hamas and rescuing the hostages, causing widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict’s toll, as reported by Gaza’s Hamas government, is staggering, with at least 18,800 lives lost, predominantly women and children. As hostage families plead for a cessation of hostilities and a shift towards negotiations, the international community watches, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes human lives over the continuation of a destructive cycle of violence.
Source- Ndtv.com
