Israeli women previously held hostages by Hamas and released in earlier exchange operations called on the Israeli government to expedite efforts to free the remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip.
This plea was made during a rally in central Tel Aviv on Saturday, which drew thousands of attendees.
These former hostages, most of whom were released during the seven-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, shared their experiences in a video broadcast at the event.
In brief interviews, four women recounted the fear, hunger, and sleeplessness they endured while in captivity following their abduction during the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Danielle Aloni, 45, who was released last week along with her 5-year-old daughter, expressed her concern for the psychological impact on children witnessing such events, stating, “Our daughters saw things no child of their age, or any age, should ever see.”
Deitza Heiman, 84, who gained her freedom on Tuesday, recounted the scarcity of food during captivity, noting that the quantity diminished over time. The freed hostages urged the government to take all necessary measures to ensure the release of those still held captive.
Yosheved Levshitz, 85, released by Hamas in October outside the ceasefire agreement, emphasized the moral obligation of the government. She asserted, “It’s this government’s ethical duty to bring them back home immediately, without hesitation.”
Their heartfelt appeals highlight the ongoing concerns and the urgent need for action to secure the safe return of the remaining hostages in Gaza.
The head of the UN’s Palestine relief agency, UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, has issued a stark warning that a resumed Israeli military assault in the densely populated south of Gaza could trigger a massive influx of refugees, with as many as 1 million people, including 900,000 sheltering in UN buildings, attempting to push over the border into Egypt.
Lazzarini highlighted the urgent humanitarian situation, describing it as a “race against time” where the disease is becoming as much of a threat as the ongoing bombardment.
