After ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas stalled once more, former captives who were IDF surveillance soldiers called on the Israeli government to bring the rest of the hostages home in a Friday statement.
“It’s already been six months since I came home. Do you know how much you can do in six months?” said former hostage Daniella Gilboa. “I never imagined how much life you could live in half a year. But I also know what it feels like to sit for six months and have it feel like a thousand lifetimes – to not know what you’re doing with your life, to wonder if anyone remembers you, or if anyone is doing anything to get you out.
“It’s heartbreaking to say this again, but they must be brought home. I know exactly what it feels like to be there. Every day feels three times longer. It’s unbearable. They need to come home now.”
Kidnapped IDF observers push for hostage deal
Former hostage Liri Albag said that she prays for those “still waiting to come home.”
“One hundred and eighty-two days have passed since I came home. Half a year since the last deal, and still, 50 hostages are waiting, just like I once waited, for that deal to come through,” she said.
“I am begging you – now that there are rumors and reports the deal has fallen apart, I am begging: Do everything. Fight. We, the hostages, cannot return to normal life until everyone comes back.”
Former hostage Karina Ariev pushed for the public to continue fighting for the release of the remaining hostages. “Today marks six months since I came home, and I still can’t fully grasp where I am, and where the other hostages still are. They are still there. Soldiers are still fighting. I am asking – please, let us not forget. Let us keep fighting until every single one of them is home.”
Former hostage Naama Levy said that all of the hostages deserve their chance to reunite with their families, too.
“Today marks six months since I came home. It’s unbelievable that it’s already been half a year since the happiest day of my life, and my family’s, after 477 days in Hamas captivity,” she said.
“And now, once again, we’re hearing that the deal is collapsing,” Levy said. “It is simply inconceivable that 50 hostages are still in Gaza, still waiting to reunite with their families. Still underground. With no rights. With no freedom. Everything must be done to bring them home. They deserve their day, too. They must come home now.”