Families of former Gaza hostages received letters from their loved ones written during their time in captivity last month, KAN reported on Wednesday.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, both released on Monday after over two years of captivity in Gaza, were forced by Hamas to write the letters that were then delivered to their families in Israel by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to KAN.
Gilboa-Dalal’s father, Ilan Dalal, shared with KAN that the letter contained wishes from Gilboa-Dalal that he would be released before his younger sister’s 18th birthday in December.
“I saw Gal and Eli together in a TV report with our shirts on,” the letter read, “I don't stop thinking about you, and thoughts of you give me strength.”
Gilboa-Dalal’s family revealed that the letter was written with neat handwriting and logical wording, which they expressed gave them hope regarding their loved one’s condition in captivity.
Ohel’s letter, according to KAN, expressed his longing for his family and that he was holding on through the horrors of his captivity.
The letters were written in August
KAN reported that the letters were written in late August, around the time Israel began its renewed offensive operations in Gaza City.
Israeli sources believe Hamas intentionally chose to allow contact with the ICRC at that time to make it clear that Israeli hostages were present in areas that may have been targeted by the IDF, attempting to deter military action against the terrorist organization.