Israeli Hostages’ Agonizing Plea: “Bring Them Home Now”
Key Points:
- Passover Protest: Freed hostages and families rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding action for the 59 remaining captives in Gaza. “What kind of freedom is this when our people are still in Hamas’ hell?” asked Liri Albag, held for 15 months.
- Harrowing Testimonies:
- Keith Siegel (US-Israeli hostage): Described torture, starvation, and watching a young woman being abused. Met Trump, crediting him for the last hostage deal.
- Yarden Bibas: Learned his wife and two young sons were killed in captivity. Now lobbies globally, telling Trump: “You’re the only one who can stop this war.”
- Eli Sharabi: Discovered after release that his wife and daughters were killed on Oct. 7. Still fights for remaining hostages: “No one must be left behind.”
- Omer Wenkert: Spent months in a 1m-by-1m cell, beaten with a metal rod on his birthday.
- Ceasefire Collapse:
- A two-month truce (Jan-Mar 2025) freed 25 hostages but fell apart. Israel now demands more releases; Hamas insists on a full ceasefire.
- 68% of Israelis now prioritize hostages over toppling Hamas (up from last year).
- Brutal Conditions:
- Hostages starved, beaten, held in tunnels—some in solitary confinement.
- Hamas still digging tunnels, even during war.
- No medical care: Infections, malnutrition rampant.
- Political Standoff:
- Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right allies who oppose concessions.
- Freed hostages accuse the government of abandoning those still captive.
- Trump emerges as a key mediator, with hostages pleading: “We need your last push.”
The freed hostages’ stories reveal unimaginable suffering—yet their fight continues. With Passover underscoring their plea for freedom, pressure mounts on Netanyahu and global leaders to act. While Trump engages, Hamas’s refusal to relocate hostages from combat zones raises fears of more deaths. For families, every day is a race against time: “The earth is burning under our feet.”
Freed Israeli hostages—starved, tortured, and traumatized—are now leading protests to demand the release of 59 remaining captives in Gaza. Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas (whose family was killed in captivity), and others met Trump, pleading for help. A failed ceasefire and Hamas’s threats deepen despair, while 68% of Israelis now prioritize hostages over military goals. With Passover here, families beg: “Bring them home before it’s too late.”
