Israel at War: Week 16
Since the Hamas Attack of October 7, 2023, 130 hostages of the 250 taken remain under Hamas control. Hostage families stormed the Knesset Monday demanding the government arrange for the immediate release of their loved ones. “We came to make our voices heard,” Noa Rahamim told The Times of Israel, “Every day they die there and every day it is announced that another hostage is killed. It simply can’t go on like that and we came to the Knesset to demand that they get up and do something. Nobody will silence us.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu balanced the demand with a single statement when speaking to representatives of the hostage families. “There was no real Hamas proposal, there is an initiative of ours, but I will not elaborate.” In his televised speech Sunday evening he said, “that Israel completely rejects Hamas’s demand for surrender in exchange for releasing the hostages.”
The hostage issue is heartbreaking, first for the families, then the government. Committee Chair Nafir said that “in his view and that of the committee, redeeming captives is the most important commandment in Judaism, especially since it is about the saving of lives.”
In light of the mentality of Hamas to “love death as Israel loves life,” every day the estimated 130 hostages remain captive, hope for rescue becomes dimmer and harder. Pray that they will not, in their weakened condition, give up hope. Efforts are being made on their behalf. Pray that those efforts will yield the outcome to release the hostages.
