The households of seven Israel hostages begged President-elect Donald Trump to place his foot down and get their family members launched – even when it means getting robust with US allies.
Trump, set to return to workplace Jan. 20, ought to exert strain on international locations within the Center East resembling Qatar to finish the hostages’ prolonged imprisonments, the households mentioned in a joint letter dated Tuesday.
“We urge you to name your colleague, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, pressure him to return to the desk TODAY and demand an finish to those video games,” the letter acknowledged.
“We’d like a easy American cope with Hamas left in its shadow: Hamas should instantly announce the discharge of all of the dwelling and lifeless hostages with none situations and give up or all Hamas leaders be instantly deported from the nation and can now not be protected wherever on this planet,” the relations added.
“That is how the conflict with a terrorist group in Gaza ought to finish. That is how your time period within the White Home ought to start.”
The letter was despatched a day after it was confirmed the day that Israeli-US soldier Omer Neutra, 21, was killed by Hamas terrorists in the course of the Oct. 7, 2023 assault in Israel.
It was initially believed he had been kidnapped and brought hostage.
An emotional memorial was held Tuesday for the Plainview, Lengthy Island resident who had been serving as an Israel Protection Forces tank commander.
In the meantime, Hamas launched a disturbing video of hostage Edan Alexander on Nov. 30, indicating the 21-year Tenafly, New Jersey resident was nonetheless alive and offering his dad and mom a glimmer of hope he might be launched.
There are some 100 hostages in Gaza, together with six People.
Signatories of the letter to Trump embrace family members of family members believed nonetheless alive whereas others had been killed in captivity:
- Hoshea Haggai, brother of Gadi Haggai, a twin Israeli-American citizen killed in captivity;
- Doris Liber, a Queens native and mom of Man Iluz, her solely little one, kidnapped from the NOVA pageant and murdered in captivity;
- Ziv Abud — a NOVA pageant bloodbath survivor and partner of Eliya Cohen, kidnapped on the pageant;
- Talia and Liran Berman, mom and brother of twins Ziv and Gali Berman, kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza;
- Simona and Dor Steinbrecher, mom and brother of Doron Steinbrecher, kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza;
- Amanda Damari, mom of Emily Damari, a twin Israeli-British citizen kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza; and
- Lishay Lavi, spouse of Omri Miran, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
The relations mentioned, “You promised to revive order within the easiest and most blatant method – and make America nice once more. Now, please do the identical for us.“
“Symbolically, this 12 months Christmas and the primary day of Hanukkah fall on the identical day. We look ahead to the miracle of Christmas and the miracle of Hanukkah for us and implore you to make sure we see mild for our family members.”
The Publish reached out to Trump for remark.
He beforehand warned on social media there can be “all hell to pay” if all the hostages aren’t freed by his inauguration subsequent month.
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