Families of seven American hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza for almost 420 days are urgently appealing to U.S. and Israeli authorities for swift action to secure their release.
Seven of the 101 hostages held are American citizens, and their families, facing another Thanksgiving without their loved ones, are pleading for their release to be prioritized.
“We desperately need urgent action, but I’m not sure we’re seeing it,” Orna Neutra, mother of 21-year-old Omer Neutra, who has had two birthdays in captivity, told Digital.
“While security concerns in the north, involving Hezbollah and Iran, were addressed, the hostages—a primary Israeli war objective—should now be the top priority, demanding every effort for their release,” she continued. “It’s incredibly frustrating to feel they’re being overlooked while other goals are pursued.”
Orna and her husband Ronen, along with other families, are increasingly questioning Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hostage recovery strategy.
Netanyahu faces mounting domestic and international pressure to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the hostages’ release.
Ceasefire talks have essentially collapsed. Despite ongoing international efforts to mediate peace and secure hostage releases, Israel’s military operation against Hamas continues.
“It’s excruciatingly painful to see time passing while our son endures horrific conditions,” said Omer’s father, Ronen. “What will we gain from more months of waiting under these circumstances?”
As Omer’s parents emphasize, ongoing IDF operations in Gaza put the hostages at continued risk.
“In late August, when the IDF approached the hostages’ location, the terrorists received orders to execute them,” Orna explained. “Six hostages were executed in a single day, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Their emaciated and dehydrated state upon rescue leaves little to the imagination.
“Their conditions are appalling, and they must be freed immediately,” she added.
Netanyahu has stated that destroying Hamas and securing the hostages are his primary goals in the Gaza campaign.
However, following the October death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar—a key objective for Netanyahu—military operations didn’t cease, nor did Israel or Hamas actively pursue ceasefire negotiations.
The families’ frustration stems not only from the ongoing military operations in Gaza, but also from Israel’s increased focus on Lebanon, leading them to feel the hostages have been “sidelined.”
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday, allowing residents near the border to return home. This contrasts sharply with the lack of progress in Gaza after nearly a year of efforts.
“I’m disappointed there’s no connection between the Lebanon peace and the Gaza peace,” said Ruby Chen, father of 19-year-old IDF soldier Itay Chen, captured by Hamas. “American citizens are at risk and need to be brought home.
“Hopefully, this will refocus Israel, and other international actors involved in hostage negotiations, on this issue,” he added.
In a Wednesday address, President Biden supported the families’ plea but stated, “Hamas has a choice. Their only way out is to release the hostages, including American citizens, bringing an end to the fighting and paving the way for humanitarian aid.
“In the coming days, the U.S. will work with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and others to achieve a Gaza ceasefire with hostage releases and the war’s end without Hamas in power,” he added.
Many hope that if the Biden administration fails to secure the hostages’ release before January, the incoming Trump administration might bring a shift in negotiations.
President-elect Donald Trump stated during his campaign, “We want our hostages back, and they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.”
Trump hasn’t detailed his strategy, but on Tuesday he signed a memorandum of understanding allowing access to intelligence about the hostages—a process typically completed weeks earlier.
While some Republicans, including Trump’s appointees, have contacted hostage families, the president-elect hasn’t yet reached out, according to Omer and Itay’s parents.
Digital couldn’t immediately verify when Trump’s transition team plans to contact the families and begin working on securing the hostages’ release.
Omer and Itay’s parents are determined to ensure their children aren’t forgotten by citizens or world leaders.
“I have another empty seat this Thanksgiving,” Ruby said, referring to Itay’s place. “We hope Americans who understand the pain of an empty chair will share our concern.
“Christmas and Hanukkah are coming; hopefully, we’ll have a Christmas miracle and be reunited,” Ruby added.
The other American hostages in Gaza include [names redacted].
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