United Kinship of Hostage Families Petitions United Nations to Urge Hamas for Captives' Liberation
In a poignant appeal, brothers Liran Berman and Ilay David, speaking on behalf of their respective families, called for immediate action from the international community to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Liran Berman, brother of Gali and Ziv Berman, expressed his deep concern as the world has failed to act in time for two of their birthdays. He emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that the lives of Gali, Ziv, and all hostages depend on it. Berman, who spoke under the agenda item devoted to dialogue with the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, urged the Council and member states around the world to take urgent steps to advance the release of the hostages.
Berman, who represents the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (IJL), urged the use of every tool, every form of pressure, every channel of diplomacy to demand their release. He shared that Gali and Ziv are held in darkness, denied food, medicine, and dignity, and that each day in captivity robs them of health, hope, and humanity.
Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, echoed similar sentiments. He called on the free world to unite to ensure that humanitarian aid that flows into Gaza will reach the hostages as well. David also emphasised the need for the world to guarantee the survival of the living hostages in Gaza until a resolution is reached. He made these statements under the same UN Human Rights Council event in September.
The United Nations Human Rights Council screened two video statements during its September session on Wednesday. These statements were on behalf of families of hostages held in Gaza, whose release was called for at the event. The affected hostages, whose release efforts have been made by various parties including US President Donald Trump and Israeli opposition figures, are held by the Islamist Hamas.
Ilay David also spoke on behalf of the World Jewish Congress, expressing his concern over the twisted and cruel propaganda used by Hamas, which may lead to the death of his brother. He further stated that Hamas had published a video of his younger brother being emaciated and buried alive in the tunnels of Gaza.
Both brothers urged the United Nations and its member states to act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of the hostages and bring an end to their suffering. Their pleas serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for diplomatic action.
