Former Israeli hostages who were freed in the deal 1 year ago are demanding action to free those still held

Former Israeli hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity during a week-long ceasefire a year ago on Sunday called for immediate action to secure the release of those still held.

I agreement only in this ongoing Israel-Hamas war on November 24, 2023 – less than two months after the fighting began – it led to the release of 80 Israelis held by militants in Gaza. They were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

Repeated attempts since then by mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States to find another deal and release the hostages have failed. Qatar earlier this month said it was suspending its mediation role until the warring parties showed “seriousness”.

Gabriella Leimberg was kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, by Hamas and was released along with his daughter, Mia, and sister Clara.

“For 53 days, the one thing that kept me going is that we, the people of Israel, the Jewish people, sanctify life – we leave no one behind,” he said.

Leimberg added: “Everything has already been said and now action is needed. There is no more time.”

About 100 hostages remain in Gaza, and at least a third are believed to be dead.

“I survived and I was lucky to have all my family,” said Leimberg. “I also want this for all the families of the kidnappers.”

Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has only offered to stop its attacks.

The death toll of Palestinians in the war exceeded 44,000 this week, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their numbers.

Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped with her five-year-old daughter, Emelia, and was released after 49 days, spoke at the event of the “increasing danger” those who are still caught face every day.

He said that those who are still in prison are “physically, sexually and psychologically abused, their identity and dignity are recycled every day”.

“It took the Israeli government almost two months to make a deal for me and 80 other Israeli hostages. Why does it take a year to reach another deal to release them from this hell?” asked Aloni, whose brother-in-law, David Cunio, and brother, Ariel Cunio, are still in custody.

He stressed that, although he and other hostages were freed last year, “we haven’t really left the tunnels,” – referring to the tunnels under Hamas where many of the hostages are being held.

“The feeling of suffocation, the terrible humidity, the bad smell – these feelings still surround us,” said Aloni.

“If people really understood what it means to be held under human conditions in a tunnel, surrounded by terrorists for 54 days – there is no way they would allow the hostages to stay there for 415 days!” said Raz Ben Ami, who was released from the deal last year.

Her husband, Ohad, is among those arrested.

Ben Ami called for a ceasefire to “return all hostages as soon as possible”.