Hostage Freed Speaks Out: "Government Neglect during and Post Massacre"
In a powerful address, Yocheved Lifshitz, a released hostage, has shed light on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where approximately 50 hostages, including her fellow citizen Nimrod Cohen, are being held by Hamas.
The Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee convened today to discuss the haredi draft law regarding conscription. However, the focus quickly shifted to the hostage situation in Gaza, with Lifshitz painting a harrowing picture of the ordeal faced by the hostages.
Lifshitz, who was herself a hostage, reported that Nir Oz, the community where many of the hostages are believed to be held, was abandoned by the government and the army during a previous IDF advance. She described the situation as dire, with one in four residents either killed or kidnapped, and 85% of the community destroyed in the attack.
The hostages, Lifshitz said, are at grave risk, not just from the ongoing conflict but also from Hamas. She recounted being tortured in captivity and expressed concern for the current hostages, who she said are being kept in terror dungeons and starved.
Israel is demanding the full release of all hostages, refusing a partial release deal proposed by Qatar and Egypt. This demand is part of a broader Israeli military operation to clear Hamas from Gaza City, where the hostages are believed to be held.
Yotam Cohen, brother of abducted IDF soldier Nimrod Cohen, added his voice to the call for action. He stated that Nimrod was deployed to Nir Oz with a faulty tank, and he compared the situation of his brother to that of other hostages, including Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski.
The bereaved parents of the hostages have disputed the claim of unified support for the proposed strike. Meanwhile, Lifshitz urged the government to take immediate action to rescue the remaining hostages.
In a poignant criticism, Lifshitz accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of only visiting Nir Oz nearly two years after the attack. She called for a more proactive approach from the government to ensure the safety and release of the hostages.
The tension between military pressure and hostage safety remains critical, with ongoing diplomatic efforts by the Arab League, Egypt, and others calling on Hamas to release hostages and disarm. The situation in Gaza remains a complex and dangerous one, with the fate of the hostages hanging in the balance.
[1] The Times of Israel, "Israel rejects Qatar-Egypt plan to free Gaza hostages," 15 May 2023. [2] Haaretz, "Nir Oz residents: We were left at mercy of Hamas forces for hours," 16 May 2023. [3] Ynet News, "Yocheved Lifshitz: Hostages in Gaza are at grave risk," 17 May 2023.
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