(Washington) Families of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 launched an appeal for help Tuesday for the release of their loved ones, during a press conference at the United States Congress in Washington.
“We don’t know their state of health, I have nothing, so I need your help,” claimed Doris Liber, with no news from her son Guy Iluz, 26, since the attack during which Hamas took more than 240 people hostage.
His son participated in the music festival where several hundred people died or were injured in the attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement.
Doris Liber stood alongside other families of Israelis who have since disappeared and several Republican elected officials who had invited them to speak to the press.
“The United States has been (Israel’s) best ally and I am so proud to be American, as well as Israeli,” said Guy Iluz’s mother.
“I’m praying, which I didn’t do before, but please help me,” she said to the United States.
More than 1,400 people have died since October 7 in Israel, the majority civilians killed that day by Hamas commandos, according to the country’s authorities.
In retaliation, Israel declared a war to “annihilate” Hamas, relentlessly shelling the Gaza Strip and penetrating deep into the territory, leaving more than 10,000 dead, including more than 4,000 children, according to the Palestinian Islamist movement’s toll. .
Yonatan Lulu Shamriz says he lived for more than 30 years in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was one of the localities attacked by Hamas on October 7.
“Our brother Alon was kidnapped” in the kibbutz, he explained during the press conference at the Capitol before in turn launching a call for help and action.
“We need help now, we don’t know their state of health. It’s a call to action and it’s an electric shock. Not just for Israel, not just for the Jewish community,” he says.
Present at the press conference, the newly elected leader of the House of Representatives, Republican Mike Johnson, reiterated his support for Israel and thanked the families “for their courage and willingness to share their trying stories.”