The families of American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are appealing to President Donald Trump to leverage his reputation as a tough negotiator to apply pressure not only on their adversaries but also on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Currently, 59 hostages are in Gaza, with at least 24 believed to be alive. Among them is Edan Alexander, who has spent two birthdays in captivity. Families lament that some individuals, such as Itay Chen and Judy Weinstein Haggai, were reportedly killed during a Hamas attack. Adi Alexander, Edan’s father, emphasized the need for President Trump to hold both enemies and allies accountable during a press conference, expressing hope for a renewed focus on negotiations to secure the hostages’ release.
In light of ongoing military operations resumed by Israel after a failed ceasefire, the families have urged Trump to restrict Netanyahu’s actions and push for immediate negotiations. As Trump marked his 100th day in office, the families reflected on their hope for his strategies regarding hostages. Ruby Chen noted that despite Trump’s previous strong statements on securing their release, the work remains unfinished, highlighting the urgency of action in light of the political landscape and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
Trump’s controversial remarks earlier in the year suggested transforming Gaza into a more prosperous region, raising concerns that aggressive military operations could hinder negotiations. As international voices call for a plan to address the hostages’ situation amidst the conflict, families cite rising support from within Israel for ceasing military actions to facilitate the hostages’ return. Orna Neutra, mother of hostage Omer, pointed out the unrealistic nature of assuming Hamas would not honor potential agreements, advocating for an approach that allows for dialogue and the chance for hostages to be released.
The families stress the need to prioritize strategies that secure the hostages’ freedom before addressing broader political issues. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, highlighted the potential for Hamas to engage politically in Gaza, contingent upon disarmament. Alexander conveyed that both parties must rise above political motives and prioritize the sanctity of human life, advocating for a peaceful resolution rather than continued hostility.
Polling data shows that a significant majority of Israelis support ending military operations against Hamas for the sake of hostages’ return, including some factions of Netanyahu’s coalition. However, the families expressed frustration over the lack of support from the Israeli government compared to the efforts made by the Biden and Trump administrations. While they maintain Hamas as the principal adversary due to their terrorist actions, the families assert that prioritizing human lives should supersede political engagements in the ongoing crisis.
In unison, the families call for accountability from both Hamas and the Israeli government, underscoring their shared goal of reuniting with their loved ones. They acknowledge the complicated dynamics of the situation yet stress that addressing the hostage crisis must take precedence over political maneuvering. As their loved ones endure prolonged captivity, the families remain steadfast in their appeals for cooperation and urgent action from world leaders, especially the President, to secure a resolution and ensure safe releases.
