The world needs to pressure Hamas to release hostages, not Israel, Ilan Gilboa-Dalal told Japanese media in Yokyo on Thursday.
"We need the world to understand that pressuring Israel will not lead us to this goal, because when Hamas sees pressure on Israel from all over the world, they simply back out of agreeing to a deal," he said.
"My son is dying in the dark tunnels of Hamas in Gaza without air and without food," he added.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana accompanied the family of Gaza hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal to Tokyo.
Ilan Gilboa-Dalal, Guy's father, added that he is disappointed in Western countries, which, instead of supporting Israel, have rewarded a terrorist organization with recognition of a Palestinian state.
This prolongs the war and suffering of both Israel and Gaza, he argued in response to a question from a Swedish reporter.
"If Hamas praises you, it means you are advancing their goals," Ohana commented, in reference to what he called "weak leaders" recognizing a Palestinian state.
"Those who feed the beast of terror will ultimately be devoured by it," he added, denouncing any recognition of a Palestinian state as a reward for Hamas's October 7 massacre.
Talking to Hamas is "impossible," Ilan Gilboa-Dalal said in response to a journalist asking if expanding military operations into Gaza City is the best way to free the remaining hostages, with Gilboa-Dalal commenting on his view that Hamas has violated every agreement that has been reached.
"Hamas must be eliminated and they must not control Gaza in the aftermath," Gilboa-Dalal added, claiming that the main problem Israel is facing is that they are "not dealing with rational people."
Ilan's son, Gal, also commented in response to the question.
Hamas is using hostages as 'bargaining chips'
"If you really want peace, you can't achieve it with Hamas. They will not release the hostages, and they use them as bargaining chips," he said, adding that he will never stop fighting for his brother, Guy, to be freed from terror captivity.
Gilboa-Dalal, while looking at Ohana, said that he did not vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but acknowledged that they are "facing probably the toughest negotiations humanity has ever seen," and are doing everything they can, in response to a question from a Japanese journalist asking the family if Netanyahu's government could be doing anything differently.
The family also commented on Guy's fascination with Japanese culture and how visiting Japan is his dream.
Guy feels a deep connection to Japanese culture. He learned Japanese, and he had previously bought a ticket to Japan before being abducted on October 7.
An anime movie, Guygu, was made about him and his deep connection with Japanese culture. The movie was broadcast at the event.