By Staff Reporter |
Congressman Abe Hamadeh welcomed the families of remaining Israeli hostages from the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack.
In another week, it will be 500 days since the attack occurred.
The family pictured with Hamadeh were Ronen and Orna Neutra for their son, Omer Neutra, a gap-year Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier; Ilana Gritzewsky for her partner, Matan Zangauker; and Moshe Lavi for his brother-in-law, Omri Miran.
“Our hearts are with Ronen and Orna Neutra, Illana Gritzewsky, and Moshe Lavi,” stated Hamadeh. “We will do everything we can to get justice for those lost and bring the remaining hostages back home.”
Others present were Daniel Lifshitz for his grandparents, Oded and Yocheved Lifshitz; Gal Dalal for his brother, Guy Gilboa-Dalal; and Ilay David for his brother, Evyatar David.
The families were present at the Capitol to participate in a special roundtable dedicated to their situation held by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Chairman Brian Mast expressed not only hope in the ability of the U.S. to recover the remaining American Israeli hostages, but the necessary duty on the government to recover these hostages to declare the conflict ended.
“Congress and the world must hear from each of you because there are individuals in Washington and across the globe who will deny, and they will whitewash, and they will simply ignore what has taken place. It’s up to us to make sure that does not take place,” said Mast. “They will make excuses for the terrorists who raped and slaughtered 1,200 innocent Israelis and Americans on October 7th. They will make excuses for the animals who continue to hold Americans hostages in Gaza right now as we speak.”
There were other American hostages who were held or killed by Hamas. In addition to Neutra, Gritzewsky, and Miran, those include Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Gadi and Judi Haggai.
President Donald Trump took credit for Israel taking the ceasefire deal with Hamas several days prior to his inauguration last month. However, that ceasefire may end before a full month of its implementation has passed.
On Monday, Hamas announced its indefinite postponing of the anticipated hostage swap on Saturday. The terrorist group accused Israel of not holding to the ceasefire, claiming the continuation of shooting and delays to the return of Palestinians. Three more hostages were scheduled to be released this Saturday.
The current pace of hostage releases — “in dribs and drabs” — hasn’t satisfied the president.
During his signing of executive orders in the Oval Office on Sunday, Trump promised to reporters this week that “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas fails to release the remaining hostages this week: 76 captives, at least 44 of whom are believed to still be alive. Trump said he believes many of the captives are deceased.
“I think it’s a great human tragedy what’s happened,” said Trump.
Trump indicated the ceasefire would end for the U.S. on Saturday at noon should Hamas not release all hostages by then. Trump did stipulate the ability for Israel to override the U.S. on the ceasefire cancellation.
“Hamas will find out what I mean,” said Trump. “These are sick people, and they’ll find out what I mean Saturday at 12.”
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