Voices of American Families: Demanding the Release of Loved Ones Held Hostage amidst Hamas' Psychological Tactics
Distraught American families demand immediate release of their kidnapped loved ones, exposing the cruel psychological tactics employed by Hamas Gripped by anxiety, they anxiously await news, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the heart-wrenching ordeal
Five American families whose loved ones were kidnapped on October 7 expressed the intense psychological toll of Hamas' tactics as they anxiously await any updates on their missing children and relatives. Speaking exclusively to CNN's Jake Tapper in Washington, DC on Wednesday, the families are calling on the international community to prioritize the release of the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza.
Listening to the harrowing stories of the recently released hostages was an emotional experience for many, who also expressed concern for their own loved ones still in Gaza. "It's been 54 days with no updates on my son's physical well-being or even a sign of life. This goes against international law, even in times of conflict," lamented Ruby Chen, whose son, Itay Chen, remains in captivity.
This week, the family members were in Washington attending a roundtable with the House Foreign Affairs Committee and other meetings. While some had seen their relatives released, most were still waiting - not just for the prospect of release but for the Red Cross to be granted access to the hostages still in Gaza.
"It's incredibly difficult, incredibly difficult," said Orna Neutra, whose son Omer Neutra is being held hostage. "We're glad to see others being released, but for me personally, Omer is a man, he's my son. He's 22 years old. He's not part of the conversation yet. And it's really terrible."
Ronen Neutra, father of Omer Neutra, urged the international community, including governments and the Red Cross, to advocate more aggressively for the release of their loved ones and to condemn the deplorable conditions they are enduring. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "The entire world must raise its voice. The lack of outrage over this humanitarian crisis at the highest level is deeply concerning."
The families acknowledged the backlash against Israel over the war in Gaza but argued that the crisis should be seen as a humanitarian problem, not a political one.
"We are not discussing this politically, we are addressing a human crisis," said Liz Hirsh Naftali, the great aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, who was released on Sunday. "Let's put aside the issue of dealing with Hamas and focus on getting our family and relatives out and keeping them safe. That should be everyone's priority right now."
Chen expressed his belief that the families of the around 240 hostages taken on October 7 played a crucial role in shifting the focus of the Israeli government from targeting Hamas to freeing the hostages.
"The families coming together has made us feel like we have gained 240 new family members," Chen stated. "Uniting around the issue of the hostages and gaining the support of the Israeli people has altered the government's perception, making them realize that their success will be judged solely on how quickly and effectively they can rescue the hostages."
The family members commended the Biden administration's efforts to secure the release of hostages but also expressed a desire to see more Americans released, as other countries have seen more of their citizens returned. Adi Alexander, the father of Edan Alexander who is still held in Gaza, stated, "The Biden administration has done more than enough since the first day, but the numbers shouldn't deceive us."
The family members shared fond memories of their relatives and the lives they had before their kidnapping on October 7.
"Edan is an American teenager who graduated from Tenafly High School in New Jersey last year," said Yael Alexander, the mother of the 19-year-old.
"He doesnt belong there," Adi Alexander said. "He belongs with us, with the family."
