66 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza may be dead
Jun 20, 2024 21:20:06 GMT -5
Post by Pink Rose on Jun 20, 2024 21:20:06 GMT -5
More than half of the 116 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza may already be dead, US officials fear as desperate families beg for the return of their loved-ones
Israel hasn't confirmed figures that suggest 66 of those still held could be dead
By ELENA SALVONI
PUBLISHED: 07:58 EDT, 20 June 2024 | UPDATED: 11:21 EDT, 20 June 2024
Families' desperation is growing amid fears that as few as 50 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, according to estimates from US officials.
Of the 250 hostages taken in the bloody October 7 invasion of southern Israel, 116 continue to be held captive, the Washington Post reports.
Now mediators in the hostage talks and a US intelligence insider have reportedly told the newspaper that the number of those still alive could be less than half that number.
Israel has not confirmed the figures, which would mean that 66 of those still held hostage could be dead - 25 more than the government has publicly acknowledged.
Distraught relatives of those remaining in Gaza say they cannot wait any longer, and are calling for their loved ones to be released immediately before it is too late.
Distraught families are calling on the government to strike a hostage deal and get their loved ones
Many, including Gili Roman, whose sister was freed but relative Carmel Gat remains among the remaining hostages, said families are dreading phone calls.
'It's about who will get a phone call saying the body of your family member has been found or he has been declared dead,' he said.
An IDF operation brought home four hostages in June - including 26-year-old Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival on October 7.
Tragically, many captives have not escaped with their lives, with the bodies of 19 hostages have returned to Israel, including eight in the past three months.
Israel has determined that another 41 hostages are dead in Gaza, with families demanding that their bodies are found and repatriated.
A statement from the Hostages Families Forum, in response to various reports from US intelligence sources: 'All the hostages must be released immediately.
'There should be no differentiation between bringing back living hostages for rehabilitation and bringing back those who were murdered for proper burial.
'The international community must take action to ensure the safe return of all 120 hostages and support the proposed deal. Time is of the essence, and we cannot let this critical moment pass.'
Full story with pictures and video at the link
Israel hasn't confirmed figures that suggest 66 of those still held could be dead
By ELENA SALVONI
PUBLISHED: 07:58 EDT, 20 June 2024 | UPDATED: 11:21 EDT, 20 June 2024
Families' desperation is growing amid fears that as few as 50 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza, according to estimates from US officials.
Of the 250 hostages taken in the bloody October 7 invasion of southern Israel, 116 continue to be held captive, the Washington Post reports.
Now mediators in the hostage talks and a US intelligence insider have reportedly told the newspaper that the number of those still alive could be less than half that number.
Israel has not confirmed the figures, which would mean that 66 of those still held hostage could be dead - 25 more than the government has publicly acknowledged.
Distraught relatives of those remaining in Gaza say they cannot wait any longer, and are calling for their loved ones to be released immediately before it is too late.
Distraught families are calling on the government to strike a hostage deal and get their loved ones
Many, including Gili Roman, whose sister was freed but relative Carmel Gat remains among the remaining hostages, said families are dreading phone calls.
'It's about who will get a phone call saying the body of your family member has been found or he has been declared dead,' he said.
An IDF operation brought home four hostages in June - including 26-year-old Noa Argamani, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival on October 7.
Tragically, many captives have not escaped with their lives, with the bodies of 19 hostages have returned to Israel, including eight in the past three months.
Israel has determined that another 41 hostages are dead in Gaza, with families demanding that their bodies are found and repatriated.
A statement from the Hostages Families Forum, in response to various reports from US intelligence sources: 'All the hostages must be released immediately.
'There should be no differentiation between bringing back living hostages for rehabilitation and bringing back those who were murdered for proper burial.
'The international community must take action to ensure the safe return of all 120 hostages and support the proposed deal. Time is of the essence, and we cannot let this critical moment pass.'
Full story with pictures and video at the link