Families of Hostages: Suspend Gaza Aid Deliveries for Release of Loved Ones

Jerusalem, 9 January, 2024 (TPS) -- Families of 132 Israeli hostages being held by Hamas called on Israel to withhold humanitarian aid to leverage the release of their loved ones on Tuesday, while trying to disrupt the arrival of aid trucks at the Kerem Shalom crossing.

“What do we get in return? We think that if we are talking humanitarian, this aid should be in exchange for our hostages,” Carmit Itzhaki told the Tazpit Press Service. Her niece, Eden Yerushalmi was abducted from the Nova music festival on October the 7.

“Hamas was under pressure to bring in supplies and therefore went along with the hostages’ release,” Carmit told TPS. “But now that they receive supplies without a problem, what interest do they have in returning the rest of them?”

Carmit told TPS that the family hasn’t received any information on Eden since October 7. In Eden’s last phone call, she simply cried out to her sister, Shani, “They got me.”

None of the 121 hostages released during a temporary ceasefire can recall seeing Eden at any point, which scares and frustrates the family.

“I want my niece here by my side, I don’t want her on a poster or on a T-shirt,” Carmit exclaimed in frustration.

“The Red Cross says they cannot enter Gaza to see the hostages, because Hamas won’t let them and so on. But it all sounds like excuses, I think they have to be there for our hostages but not enough is done.”

The procession of families tried to march from Kibbutz Magen to Kerem Shalom, but since the war began, civilian access to this area has been restricted. Residents of the nearby towns and agricultural communities were evacuated and police blocked the marchers’ path.

“We will continue with these efforts – we will stop anything that prevents the release of our loved ones,” protest organizer Shai Wenkert told TPS. His 22 year-old son, Omer, was abducted at the Nova music festival.

“The trucks of humanitarian equipment continue to enter Gaza for a long time, and at this time. My son has colitis and is in captivity and does not receive any humanitarian aid,” Shai said. “We do not have any current information about his condition. How can it go on like this? I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

Colitis is an intestinal disorder typically managed by medicines — medicines which Omer does not have access to in Gaza, Shai noted. Stress triggers painful flareups, and the International Red Cross has not seen any of the captives, another sore point for the families.

“If we continue to feed the lion, what is the reason for it to stop,” Shai asked TPS. “Release the hostages and receive the aid, otherwise it should stop.”