Unveiling the Hidden: Families of Israeli Hostages Seek Answers Amidst Darkness

Adina Moshe's family witnessed their final sight of her when she was captured by two Hamas militants on a motorcycle at the Nir Oz kibbutz near Gaza. Despite her obvious fear, Adina maintained a dignified posture.

The horrifying photograph is showcased on a missing person bulletin, among numerous others, displayed on the wall of HaKirya in Tel Aviv, which serves as the government and military quarters.

"Initially, I couldn't bear to look at it due to its shocking nature. It reveals the perpetrators who took her husband's life and forced her to ride on a motorcycle, clinging onto the abductor to prevent herself from falling," shared Einav Moshe Barda, the niece of Moshe, during a gathering outside HaKirya, as reported by CNN.

Authorities informed the family of Moshe Barda that he is suspected to have been transported to Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) notified a total of 120 captive individuals' families, without divulging further details. One week has passed since the attack, and these families remain trapped in excruciating uncertainty.

Meirav Gonen, whose daughter Romi was abducted from the Supernova dance festival, shared with CNN that all the information given to them is that her phone is located in Gaza.

"She contacted me at 10:15, and I remained on the line with her until 10:58. I could sense her fading away, and I heard gunshots getting closer to her car, along with people shouting in Arabic. They were yelling that she was alive and that they required her presence," she recalled.

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CNN looks at 'the Guest,' the shadowy mastermind behind the Hamas attacks

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At least 260 individuals were killed by Hamas gunmen during the music festival, while their spree claimed the lives of approximately 1,300 people. CNN conducted an interview with Gonen at the temporary base of the Families of Hostages and Missing Persons Forum in Tel Aviv. The group was established to offer assistance to those impacted by the crisis.

The forum has formed teams dedicated to engaging with the government and lobbying foreign diplomats. It also has a public relations team responsible for raising awareness about the individual cases. Additionally, there is a group of negotiators working towards devising a strategy to secure the release of the hostages.

Gonen emphasized that the primary purpose of the forum is to provide support and solidarity for the families. She expressed the importance of knowing that they are not alone in their struggles, as it can be an incredibly isolating experience. She further explained that by taking a moment to truly listen to their thoughts and feelings, they can unlock a door behind which they have hidden their emotions.

Pictures of people who have been kidnapped by Hamas are displayed on a wall alongside protest slogans in Tel Aviv on Saturday, October 14, 2023

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

Anger towards government

While the families primarily concentrate on disseminating information about their beloved ones, a growing number of individuals are becoming increasingly furious regarding the government's handling of the crisis.

Hamas' October 7 assault stands as the most devastating attack carried out by Palestinian militants in Israel's 75-year history, revealing a remarkable lapse in intelligence on the part of Israel's security forces.

Across the street from where Moshe Barda and other family members were gathering, a much angrier protest was taking place on Friday.

The militant group Hamas released a video on Saturday, August 26, 2005, featuring an image of a man identified as fugitive bombmaker Mohammed Deif. In the video, he declares that Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is seen as a triumph for armed resistance. Moreover, he pledges to persistently target Israel until the Jewish state no longer exists. (AP Photo/APTN)

Who is El Deif, alleged mastermind of the Hamas attack?

The target: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.

"It is an ineffective government with these extremist parties. They should step aside and allow competent individuals to address this dire situation," expressed Daphna Cohen, who proudly waved an Israeli flag and carried a banner demanding Netanyahu's resignation.

According to Cohen, who has been participating in protests against the prime minister for several years, this occasion bears a distinct atmosphere.

"I have never experienced such intense anger and profound dislike towards someone in my entire life. And at 66 years old, I cannot recall ever feeling the emotions that I currently harbor towards this individual, the despicable Bibi. There truly is no other word to describe him," she expressed.

"He consistently avoids taking accountability, and I sincerely doubt he possesses any genuine concern for anyone else, especially during challenging circumstances. He is the embodiment of a criminal who is capable of leading us to utter ruin," she concluded.

A sign that says "Continue? Over my dead body" is seen at a protest against Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Saturday, October 14, 2023

Israel faced deep divisions leading up to the October 7 attacks, driven by extensive protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu's right-wing coalition. These demonstrations primarily centered around a contentious law aiming to limit the authority of Israel's highest court.

Netanyahu and his supporters argue that the judicial system required reform, while his opponents have labeled the action as an attack on Israel's democracy. Additionally, Netanyahu has been confronted with multiple corruption charges and allegations in recent years, all of which he vehemently denies.

Hamas's brutal acts have led to a degree of political consensus, resulting in Netanyahu joining forces with opposition leader Benny Gantz to establish an emergency government. Additionally, a retired IDF general named Gal Hirsch has been appointed as the government's coordinator for hostage situations. Hirsch has stated that his team is diligently examining all available information in order to locate the abducted individuals.

But there is a noticeable resentment towards the government of Netanyahu for its failure to anticipate the attacks launched by Hamas - and the current hostage crisis that this nation is grappling with.

During the demonstration on Saturday, a participant positioned themselves on a sizable fabric stained with red paint, resembling blood, while holding a sign stating: "Remain in authority? Only if it costs me my life."

Gaza pounded, Israeli families wait for news

Israel has formally declared war on Hamas and the IDF has for days been hammering the Gaza Strip with air strikes and shelling.

Israel conducted an intensified bombing campaign in Gaza during the initial six days of the recent conflict, surpassing the number of bombs dropped throughout the entire 50-day Gaza-Israel conflict in 2014. Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has implemented a comprehensive blockade on Gaza, home to over 2 million individuals, by restricting the distribution of essential resources such as electricity, food, fuel, and water. Energy Minister Israel Katz has affirmed that these supplies will not be restored until the release of hostages takes place.

Palestinians are seen searching for casualties among the debris following the Israeli airstrikes, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Khan Younis located in the southern Gaza Strip on October 14, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Mohammed Salem/Reuters

Gaza conditions a 'complete catastrophe,' official warns as Israel prepares for imminent offensive

According to the Palestinian health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 2,100, including 724 children and 458 women.

Gaza is currently facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with concerns of starvation, hospitals running low on fuel for generators, and entire streets reduced to debris.

The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents in northern Gaza, urging them to relocate southward to ensure their safety in anticipation of heightened operations, which may involve a potential ground invasion. UNICEF estimates that this call for evacuation applies to a staggering number of 1.1 million individuals, equating to roughly half of Gaza's total population. UNICEF further emphasizes that there is currently nowhere secure for civilians to seek refuge.

Several foreign governments have intervened in the efforts to secure the release of the hostages. According to a senior US official and another individual familiar with the discussions, Qatar has been engaging in talks with Hamas, while the US has been partnering with Qatar in their important role as mediators. Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cautioned Hamas about the potential consequences if any harm befell the hostages.

"If any harm comes to these hostages, we shall ensure that those responsible are apprehended and held accountable for their actions. Rest assured, be it a year, or five years or even 25 years, if they are implicated in harming those hostages, Israel will relentlessly pursue them, and justice will be served," he conveyed passionately to CNN.

Families of those taken hostage face an agonizing wait for news of their loved ones

Ivana Kottasová/CNN

In Tel Aviv, the families of the hostage victims remained somber. Rather than criticizing the government, they dedicated their efforts to campaigning for the safe return of their loved ones. "I choose to believe that the government's silence is due to their concentrated efforts in bringing them back... unity is crucial," Moshe Barda expressed to CNN.

I desire the collective efforts of the government, the global community, and everyone to unite and facilitate their return. It encompasses the plight of children separated from their mothers, mothers deprived of their children, as well as grandmothers and grandfathers experiencing the same agony. According to Moshe Barda, finding solace lies in the fact that her aunt embodies resilience and strength.

According to Moshe Barda, if she is kept together with others, it is highly probable that she would be caring for everyone. During his time at the kibbutz, Moshe served as a caretaker for numerous children who were born and raised within the community.

Moshe Barda described her as a resilient woman. He pointed out that in the photograph, she can be seen sitting upright on a motorcycle, despite having just witnessed her husband being killed.