Families of some of the 133 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv to thank the leaders of 18 nations for their joint statement demanding the immediate release of their loved ones. The relatives of Americans, Germans, French, British, Argentinians, Canadians and others, insisted that the hostage case become an "international humanitarian crisis."

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Israel-Gaza War

Families of some of the 133 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza have publicly expressed their gratitude towards the leaders of 18 nations for issuing a joint statement that calls for the immediate release of their loved ones. This expression of thanks took place at a gathering in Tel Aviv, where families of the hostages, including nationals from the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Canada, labeled the situation an "international humanitarian crisis."

These families, united in their plea, gathered with flags in hand, acknowledging the support from the international community and emphasizing the urgent need for action to secure the release of the hostages. During the forum, appreciation was directed towards countries that have shown solidarity, including the United Kingdom, Argentina, Serbia, Spain, and Brazil, for their collective demand issued recently. The demand not only calls for the hostages’ release but also suggests it as a condition for a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza.

The significance of turning the hostage situation into a top international priority was highlighted by the families, who continue to urge more world leaders to join this cause. Reflecting the seriousness of the matter, they stressed that mere statements are insufficient and urged for concrete actions against what they describe as a radical terror organization. Their message is clear: it is crucial for the international community to take decisive steps to secure the release of the hostages.

Amid these developments, Hamas officials have yet to accept the proposed conditions outlined by the international community. Nonetheless, the families of the hostages, alongside friends, persist in their efforts to raise awareness and pressure, including staging protests outside the Israeli war cabinet. Additionally, in a show of spiritual solidarity, worshippers in Jerusalem have dedicated prayers at the city's Western Wall for the welfare and safe return of the Israeli hostages.



Families of Hamas hostages thank world leaders

It's a moment of hope for the families of the hostages still held in Gaza. Flags in hand, they gather at this forum in Tel Aviv and thank the international community for calling for the release of their loved ones. The families forum welcomed the statement from the world leaders calling for the immediate release of all hostages and putting the issue of the hostages as a top international priority. We are grateful to all the countries that participated in this joint call and we urge other world leaders to unite in this demand. Eighteen countries, including allies of the Israeli state like the UK or Argentina, but also countries like Serbia, Spain and Brazil, issued a joint statement Thursday demanding the release of the hostages in exchange for a prolonged ceasefire in Gaza. All of them have citizens taken hostage by Hamas. The families continue to insist that the hostage case become an international humanitarian crisis. It's the time not just to make statements, it's time not just to say war, it's time to make actions and to understand that we are dealing with a radical terror organisation that only wants to destroy us and it's time for the world to wake up and do everything in its power to bring those people back. Hamas officials have so far rejected the international community's deal, but families and friends continue to stage protests outside the Israeli war cabinet, putting pressure on the government, whilst worshippers in Jerusalem have dedicated their collective prayers at the city's western wall to the Israeli hostages.

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Israel-Gaza War