Families of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attack have reported receiving threats and ransom demands, some originating from their loved ones’ phones.
According to Israeli news outlet N12, these messages instruct families to “fight the government” or risk never seeing their loved ones again. The information has been passed to the Israeli intelligence agency Shin Bet, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Initial investigations suggest that the messages may have been sent by individuals of Iranian origin or those affiliated with Hamas. As many as 109 hostages are believed to be in Hamas custody in the Gaza Strip, though some are feared dead, according to Israel Today.
The hostage crisis continues to frustrate both American and Israeli officials as families become increasingly desperate nearly a year after the attack.
In response, both major U.S. political parties have highlighted the hostages’ plight. The Republican National Convention featured Omer Neutra’s parents. Neutra, a 22-year-old Israeli Defense Forces soldier, was taken captive near Kibbutz Nir Oz.
His family has received support from former President Donald Trump, who assured them of his commitment to securing the release of American hostages, as reported by the Jewish Journal.
The Democratic National Convention spotlighted Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s parents. Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old taken from the Nova Music Festival, has also received support from the Biden administration. His father, Jon Polin, praised President Biden and Vice President Harris for their efforts in working towards a hostage and cease-fire deal, expressing gratitude for their bipartisan support.
This week, the Biden administration reported “constructive” progress in cease-fire negotiations, including releasing hostages. Key issues remain, including Hamas’s demand for the release of several prisoners and disagreements over Gaza’s border crossings.
Negotiators have proposed updates to the plan, which Egyptian authorities will relay to Hamas representatives. However, there is scepticism about Hamas’s willingness to accept the proposed terms.
Retired IDF Major General Yaakov Amidror, speaking at a Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) update, stressed the importance of addressing the Philadelphia Corridor, a critical smuggling route for Hamas. Amidror expressed doubts about whether a viable agreement could be reached, given the complexities of the negotiations.
