Desperate appeals from Israeli-American hostage families urge White House for innovative actions to secure release
Families of Israeli-Americans held hostage by Hamas are pleading with the White House for urgent action Their tormenting nights are filled with anguish, as they desperately seek creative solutions for the safe release of their loved ones
The Israeli-Americans who have family members believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas can find their evenings particularly agonizing. Ruby Chen, whose 19-year-old reservist son Itay has been missing since October 7, recently spoke with CNN just before midnight in Israel. "This is the most difficult part of the day," Chen said, as it is when he finally allows himself to question: "How effective have I been in securing the release of my son?"
Iris Haggai Liniado, whose parents were allegedly abducted by Hamas while on their morning walk two months ago, is constantly reminded of their absence at every meal. She shared with CNN the agony of not knowing her parents' whereabouts, and the possibility that they may not be alive. This uncertainty has been unbearable for her, stating that she wouldn't wish this situation on anyone, not even those responsible for her parents' disappearance.
Chen and Haggai Liniado, along with other families of American hostages, are urgently appealing to the Israeli government and the Biden White House to take action to secure the release of their loved ones from Hamas captivity.
The recent release of Israeli-Russian hostages in a separate deal negotiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin has left an impact on the families of the American hostages. While they understand the unique circumstances that led to the release of the Russian nationals, including Putin's alleged support for Hamas, they are now questioning whether a similar arrangement could be made to secure the release of the American citizens.
Chen noted that President Putin's actions had revealed the possibility of negotiating a separate deal based on nationality. The precedent set by this has led her to believe it is a logical idea to suggest or consider.
Haggai Liniado also expressed similar sentiments, recognizing Moscow's connection to Hamas while still believing that if the Russians could achieve it, there must be a way for others to do so as well.
Chen, along with other families of hostages, met with Vice President Kamala Harris' national security adviser Phil Gordon in Israel on Wednesday. According to Chen, some of the families urged Gordon to consider the idea of the Biden administration negotiating a hostages deal with Qatar, without the initial involvement of the Israeli government, as Qatar has been the main intermediary in negotiations with Hamas.
"Sometimes you have kids arguing and you need adults to get involved," Chen explained. He stated that Gordon seemed receptive to their concerns.
Seven American men and one woman are still missing since the war began, as reported by the White House. To date, four Americans - including a four-year-old girl and three women - have been released. As the war enters its third month, the families of the missing Americans have formed a support system for each other. They have established an active WhatsApp group chat to share information about the war, the hostages, and to discuss potential next steps.
The families interviewed by CNN expressed gratitude for the White House's involvement, but are struggling with the fact that American citizens are still missing. "As a US citizen, I question what my government is doing," Chen stated.
"Haggai Liniado expects the American government to fulfill its duty and bring all eight Americans back. The families had a Zoom meeting with President Joe Biden one week after the October 7 attack, and have been receiving consistent outreach from the White House and Roger Carstens, Bidens hostage envoy."
According to them, the lack of support they have received from the Israeli government is a stark contrast to the intense criticism it has faced from released hostages and their families. Leaked audio recordings of a meeting between the hostages, their relatives, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet this week captured their profound anger and frustration. Last Thursday, the families of the unaccounted for Americans once again spoke with Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, who described the conversation as "heart-wrenching."
Following the meeting with Sullivan, there was a sudden shift in the situation. Hamas had been releasing Israeli women and children hostages for seven days as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, on the seventh day, Hamas refused to release any more hostages, and Israel rejected their demands to move on to releasing the next category of hostages - men. As a result, Israel's military operation quickly resumed.
The sudden stop of the hostages' daily release was devastating for the families, many of whom had started to feel optimistic about reuniting with their loved ones. Jon Polins, whose 23-year-old son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was reportedly taken from the Nova music festival on October 7, expressed to CNN that the truce coming to an end completely shifted their mindset.
"He said we shifted from optimism to a sense of hopelessness. The formal hostage negotiations in Doha, Qatar, came to an official end last week. Senior US officials stated that the administration is maintaining close communication with Israeli, Qatari, and Egyptian counterparts to explore options for rescuing more hostages. However, the apparent lack of progress is causing increased anxiety among the families."
"I feel like there needs to be more creativity coming from all parties involved - the administration, the Israelis, Hamas, Qatar, and Egypt," expressed Polin. He clarified that he doesn't doubt the White House's commitment to the mission and acknowledged the "tremendous support" he has received from the administration. "I just don't hear a lot of innovative ideas."
Chen described the recent days as a "turning point," stating that the Biden administration needs to "reassess some of the fundamental assumptions that the US holds."
The families have been openly critical of the Red Cross for not visiting the hostages in Gaza as stipulated in the truce agreement. More than a week later, there is still no new information about the missing Americans, leaving their whereabouts and conditions unknown. During a meeting with Sullivan, the families raised the question of what the US could do to further pressure the ICRC to take action, which Sullivan found to be a point of frustration.
The White House spokesman, John Kirby, told CNN on Wednesday that the Red Cross has not been able to enter Gaza to check on the hostages due to Hamas' refusal to permit access, despite their previous agreement to do so. Kirby emphasized the importance of allowing Red Cross access for the well-being of the hostages and to gather necessary information. He stated that it is unacceptable for Hamas to prevent the Red Cross from fulfilling their humanitarian mission.
Chen, Polin, and Haggai Liniado are clinging to the final WhatsApp messages they received from their sons and parents before the darkness descended. Itay, Chen's son, messaged at 6:45 a.m. to alert them about the missile attack on his military base. Haggai Liniado's parents messaged her to inform her that they were lying face down in the fields near their kibbutz as they witnessed rockets flying over their heads.
Polins son, Hersh, sent two messages in quick succession the morning of the attack: "I love you." "Im sorry."
