Israel-Gaza war: Israelis offer own resources to get snatched loved ones home
- 126 people have been held captive since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, Israel’s military said it had confirmed
- An ex-ambassador, former soldiers and doctors are among dozens of citizens trying to help via the ‘Hostages and Missing Families Forum’
A businessman offered his contact list, a communications expert his publicity skills and an ex-diplomat negotiating tact: Israelis anguished and angered by the absence of information about the fate of hostages abducted by Hamas gunmen are marshalling their own resources to get their loved ones home.
Israel’s military said on Sunday it had confirmed that 126 people have been held captive since Hamas militants from the blockaded Gaza Strip attacked southern Israel on October 7. They gunned down civilians and dragged dozens of others, Israelis and foreigners, back to Gaza.
Among them were children, including nine-month-old Kfir and four-year-old Arial Bibes, snatched along with their mother Shiri. Their aunt, Yrat Zailer, said help must come quickly.
“These are innocent civilians. They have rights. Pressure should be placed on Turkey, Egypt for the Red Cross to visit them,” Zailer said at a press conference.
“We must bring them back home alive. They were kidnapped alive, they must stay alive,” she said, tears streaking down her cheeks.
Helping to support relatives of the missing, like Zailer, is a businessman at the heart of the group called “Hostages and Missing Families Forum”.
