7 US hostages still held by Hamas terrorists as families plead for their release: ‘It’s urgent’

Parents of Americans are taken hostage. For nearly 420 days, Hamas has been appealing once again to US and Israeli authorities to show a sense of “urgency” in securing its independence.

Seven of the 101 hostages in Gaza are Americans, and their families, who will sit down to another Thanksgiving dinner with empty seats on Thursday, are again insisting their release is a priority. be given

“Our plea is that it’s urgent, and I’m not sure we see a sense of urgency,” said Orna Neutra, mother of Omar Neutra, who was 21. Hamas kidnapped on October 7, 2023.but who has since experienced two birthdays while incarcerated, told Fox News Digital.

“There were security issues in the north that needed to be dealt with, with Hezbollah, with Iran. But at this point, the hostages — who are the primary war target for the Israelis — should be the first priority, and every Every effort should be made to get them out,” he continued. “It’s been very frustrating for us to follow the news cycle to make sure they’re not forgotten, to wait patiently, steadily, until other goals are achieved.”

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Orna, her husband Ronan Neutra and the families of other hostages in Gaza have begun to question Netanyahu’s strategy for the return of the hostages.

The Israeli prime minister has seen growing pressure at home and abroad calling on him to broker a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the release of the hostages.

Ceasefire negotiations have failed. And though The Biden administration Israel’s military campaign to defeat Hamas continues to bring all parties to the table to end the war and release the hostages.

“It’s very painful for us to see how time is passing, and our son is trapped in these terrible conditions trying to survive,” Omar’s father Ronan said. “The question is, what will we gain by waiting a few more months with these conditions?”

Ultimately, as Omar’s parents highlighted, while IDF operations in Gaza continue, the hostages are at risk.

“We saw what happened at the end of August, when the IDF was getting very close to the hostages, the terrorists received instructions to execute them,” Orna said. “We saw six hostages executed in one day, one of them was the American hostage Hirsch Goldberg Pollen. And the conditions in which they were held and the conditions in which they were brought back – they were weak, waterlogged. Were lacking, it doesn’t leave much room for imagination.

“They are in terrible conditions, and they need to be taken out as soon as possible,” he added.

Netanyahu has said that his two primary goals in the Gaza campaign are the destruction of Hamas. Ensuring the return of hostages.

But after the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sanur in October — a major war target for Netanyahu — the military operations did not stop, and neither Israel nor Hamas continued enthusiastically negotiating a cease-fire.

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It is not only the ongoing military operations in Gaza that have begun to frustrate the families of the hostages, but also Israel’s increased focus on Lebanon, which has led many to feel that the hostages have been “shunted aside”. is

Israel and Lebanon signed a cease-fire on Wednesday. Just two months after Jerusalem began its operations to expel Hezbollah, a move that would allow citizens of both countries to return to their homes near the shared border. But despite nearly a year of efforts, no such agreement has been reached in Gaza.

“I’m a little disappointed that there is no connection between peace in Lebanon and peace in Gaza,” said Robbie Chen, the father of Ate Chen, who was 19 and serving in the IDF when he was attacked by Hamas terrorists. Did and took it, told Fox News. Digital. “In Gaza, there are people, American citizens, who are in danger and they should come out.

“But we hope that this will bring Israel to the hostages, as well as other international players who are trading hostages, to focus on this peace,” he added.

In a speech on Wednesday, Biden championed Israel Lebanon Ceasefire But he said, “Hamas now has a choice to make. Their only option is to release the hostages, including American citizens, that they are holding, and, in the process, end the fighting.” , which will enable increased humanitarian relief

“In the coming days, the United States will join forces with Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and others to make another effort to free the hostages in Gaza and end the war without Hamas taking power,” he added.

As the Gaza war approaches the 1-year mark, hope for a deal to bring the hostages home soon has faded.

Many hope that even if the Biden administration cannot secure the release of the hostages before they leave office in January, that the incoming Trump administration can turn the tide of negotiations and secure the release of the hostages.

President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail, “We want our hostages back, and they better come back before I take office, or you’re going to pay a huge price.”

Trump has not taken any detailed steps to secure the release of hostages from the terrorist network, although he did sign a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday that would allow him to begin accessing intelligence about the hostages. would enable — a process that traditionally takes place weeks before Trump. Signed the document.

While some Republicans, including those tapped by Trump for top jobs in his administration, Like Sen. Marco Rubio of FloridaAccording to Omar and Aita’s parents, the hostages have been in contact with the families, but the president-elect has not yet contacted them.

Fox News Digital could not immediately reach Trump’s transition team to confirm when the president-elect plans to reach out to the families and secure the release of the hostages.

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Omar and Aita’s parents have said they will continue to make sure that neither everyday citizens nor world leaders forget their children, who are still held hostage.

“I have an empty seat again this Thanksgiving,” Ruby said in regards to where her son Ate should sit. “We would hope that American citizens who understand the tragedy of having an empty seat at the table will also embrace it.

“We have Christmas. [and Hanukkah] Coming up, hopefully we’ll have a Christmas miracle as well, and we’ll be united as a family once again and bring him home,” Ruby added.

Among the other American hostages still held in Gaza. Aidan Alexander, Sagui Decel-chan, Gadi Haggai, Judi Weinstein Haggai And Keith Segal.