Three Hamas captivity survivors, Adina Moshe, Raz Ben Ami, and Danielle Aloni, who were released in the previous deal in a statement has urged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to make deal for release of remaining hostages before his scheduled speech at US Congress.
Adina Moshe said: “Prime Minister, I want to tell you: Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell were my fellow hostages. They were alive and breathing – suffering, but not dead! Please, Prime Minister, sign the deal so I can finish the little life I have left knowing everyone has returned to their families”.
All three survivors painfully testified about the urgent need to free all remaining hostages who have been suffering for 286 days, with at least 13 having been killed since the last deal.
Adina Moshe added, “I heard the Prime Minister claims that ‘the hostages are suffering, but not dying.’ I want to tell you, Prime Minister, that the hostage Haim Peri was with me in the tunnel. We helped each other; he encouraged and supported me. Yoram Metzger used to explain how to properly speak with our captors, telling me I must stop saying ‘damn it’ and other words I’m used to saying. Amiram Cooper was on the floor above me in the tunnel; we met the day before my release when I was moved up and he was moved down. Nadav Popplewell slept next to me every night on a moldy, wet mattress, in terrible heat and constant feeling of suffocation. All these were my fellow hostages. They were alive and breathing – suffering, but not dead! On June 4th, when I learned my friends had died, I felt like I was dying too. I felt deep sadness, guilt, and great anger. They could have been saved, along with many others who were captured alive and are now dead.
I call on you, Prime Minister: Save those who can still be saved. There are living hostages. There’s no time. Sign the deal, be the one who brings back the living and the dead for burial. Be the one who allows us all to escape this hell, to once again feel like Jews, Israelis, who do everything for our brothers and don’t abandon them. So please, Prime Minister, sign the deal so I can finish the little life I have left knowing everyone has returned to their families” Adina urged Netanyahu.
Another survivor Danielle Aloni said: “What we experienced for 49 days, the 120 hostages continue to endure – nearly six times longer. They’ve been abandoned there for over nine and a half months, miserable, suffering, slowly dying in body and spirit, even those still alive.
We hear that the deal is almost closed and only needs the Prime Minister’s approval. This is the time for leadership. I trust you – the heads of the Shin Bet, Mossad, and IDF – that if the Prime Minister refuses the deal, you’ll prove through actions that you won’t allow this. Don’t leave them in Gaza! Mr. Prime Minister, I ask – first a deal! Then travel. We need to prioritize the return of all 120 hostages before you fly to Washington. Mr. Netanyahu, this isn’t the time for show trips, it’s time to close a deal and bring the hostages home. Travel with them to Washington – those will be the real victory images, but first bring them home. Deal first!”, said Danielle.
Last of the released survivor Raz Ben Ami said: “We are in critical days. Days when we hear from all directions that the ground is fertile enough to sign the deal. But we also hear that if it doesn’t succeed this time, it will take time, if at all, until a new opportunity arises. Bibi, tell me, how will I be able to continue like this if you don’t sign your deal now and bring Ohad back to me? If the deal doesn’t happen this time, does it mean I need to start forgetting about him? I ask you, I demand of you: first a deal, then a trip.
Give us and yourself a good reason to go to the Congress stage and represent us with dignity before the whole world. These 120 people, their 120 families, I, and the people of Israel deserve to start our new lives. Sign the deal and then go to the United States”, concluded Ami.