Families of hostages still in captivity, and those recently released, gathered yesterday evening for a press conference in Tel Aviv to share their experiences and urgent calls for action.
Nissan Kalderon, brother of hostage survivor Ofer Kalderon told media that: “Ofer is home. His physical condition is fair, but the road to rehabilitation is still long. While my extended family and I are happy, our joy is incomplete. Ofer is here, but 79 of our brothers and sisters remain behind. As a family and as a nation, we must fight for their return – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.
I must emphasize – don’t let the photos mislead you. While it appears from the outside that Ofer has returned home, the reality is far more complex. His rehabilitation – both physical and mental – is still in its early stages and is a long, challenging process. The smile in the photos tells only a small part of the story – behind the scenes, there is a difficult daily struggle.
I appeal to the decision-makers: don’t stop – continue with the deal immediately. The families have been suffering for 489 days; don’t make them wait a week for the list – it’s killing them,” Nissan added.
Yeela David, sister of Evyatar David urged that: “We face a closing window of opportunity. Our priority must be saving the hostages’ lives. My brother Evyatar is not part of the current stage of the deal – which is why we must push forward to the next phase. This deal could mean life or death for our loved ones.
I want to thank President Donald Trump & the Israeli government – because of them, 18 hostages were reunited with their families. President Trump, we rely on you to bring my brother and all the hostages back home – those still living and those who have fallen,” concluded Yeela.
Meital Weiss, daughter of the late Ilan Weiss and hostage survivor Shiri Weiss, sister of hostage survivor Noga Weiss said that: “I welcome each person who has returned. I know all too intimately the feeling of a family reuniting after a period of hell – each such embrace is an entire world.
My father, along with all the hostages, must return. Because we don’t leave anyone behind – not in life, nor in death. My mother and sister returned after 50 days in captivity. They survived heroically, but our family cannot heal until my father returns and receives a proper burial. Each passing moment intensifies our gravest fear – that the bodies of those murdered will disappear, that their remains will never be found, that we won’t be able to give them the proper burial they deserve. We cannot let this happen,” urged Meital.