
Hamas Hostages' Families Issue Desperate Plea To U.S.
Huff PostLOADING ERROR LOADING WASHINGTON ― After Hamas released two older hostages last month, Abbey Onn got a sliver of information: Her cousin Ofer Kalderon, a 50-year-old whom Hamas had also kidnapped, was still alive when his two fellow captives were freed. “The U.S. has the highest leverage over the actors that can pressure Hamas,” Roman said, in a reference to regional players such as the American ally Qatar, which hosts Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Rep. Jamie Raskin, one of several prominent U.S. lawmakers who has met with hostages’ family members, told HuffPost he wants to bolster efforts to ensure Israel prioritizes the captives, whose kidnapping he described as “a war crime.” “I am with the thousands of Israeli protesters who gathered in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night calling for Netanyahu to focus first and foremost on the immediate return of the hostages,” Raskin said in a Wednesday statement, praising the Biden administration’s push for a halt in fighting. Heiman blasted the Netanyahu administration’s public narrative, saying: “Every time someone talks, he says, ‘First destroy Hamas, destroy Gaza,’ and maybe the third sentence he’ll say, ‘Bring them home.’ I don’t think it’s the first priority.” She sees a negotiation with Hamas involving the U.S. and other governments like Egypt as essential, even though she sees the group’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, whom Netanyahu freed in a previous prisoner swap, as “the most horrible man.” “The United States and all the world need to do anything that they can to bring them back,” Heiman said. The Israel Defense Forces have called the hostages “our top priority.” Gili Roman met with Sen. Ben Cardin, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, among other influential U.S. lawmakers last week.
History of this topic

Families of hostages in Gaza are terrified they won’t return after Israel resumes fighting
Associated Press
Israel strikes Gaza, families of hostages slam Netanyahu for 'sacrificing' their loved ones
Hindustan Times
Israel pounds Hamas in Gaza in strikes that rescuers say killed 121
Deccan Chronicle
Hamas Says It Will Only Release American-Israeli Hostage If Truce Agreement Is Implemented
Huff Post
Hamas says it will only release American-Israeli hostage if ceasefire deal is implemented
Associated Press
Hamas says it will only release American-Israeli hostage if truce agreement is implemented
New Indian Express
Middle East latest: Hamas says it will free a US-Israeli hostage to keep ceasefire talks rolling
Associated Press
Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage, bodies of 4 others
Firstpost
Hamas Agrees To Release US-Israeli Hostage, Bodies Of Dual Nationals Amid Talks For Ceasefire’s Second Phase
ABP News
Hamas says it will release a US-Israeli hostage and 4 bodies, but Israel expresses immediate doubt
Associated Press
Hamas says it will release American Israeli hostage and 4 bodies
LA Times
Hamas says it is prepared to release American-Israeli hostage and bodies of four dual nationals
CNN
Hamas says it's willing to release the five American hostages in Gaza
NPR
Mediators seek a new deal to release more than half of the hostages in Gaza
NPR
Gaza hostage deal possible ‘within weeks,’ US envoy says after direct Hamas talks
Firstpost
US Envoy Says New Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Possible in Weeks
Live Mint
Israel not happy with US for holding direct talks with Hamas, Netanyahu's confidante slams US envoy: Report
India TV News
‘Difficult’ call took place between envoys of Trump and Netanyahu following US-Hamas talks: Report
Firstpost
Hamas issues chilling new hostages threat after Donald Trump warned terror chiefs 'you are DEAD' in bid to free captives
Daily Mail
Israeli military escalation against Palestinians may lead to hostages' death, warns Hamas
Firstpost
Hamas brushes off Trump’s threat and says it will only free hostages in return for a lasting truce
Associated Press
‘Release them now or there will be hell to pay’: Donald Trump warns Hamas as US holds talks for Gaza hostages
Live Mint
Release hostages or you're dead: Trump issues last warning to Hamas
Deccan Chronicle
White House holding direct talks with Hamas on hostage release
Live Mint
'You are dead': Trump warns Hamas, Gazans as US holds 'unprecedented' talks for hostage release
Firstpost
Israel says has conveyed to Washington stance on US-Hamas talks over hostages
China Daily
White House confirms direct talks with Hamas aimed at releasing hostages
China Daily
Hamas brushes off Trump's threat, says 'will only' free hostages in return for 'lasting' truce
New Indian Express
Hamas brushes off Trump’s threat and says it will only free hostages in return for a lasting truce
LA Times
Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas: 'Release all hostages now, or it is over for you'
India TV News
Trump warns Hamas, Gaza ‘you are dead’ if hostages not freed
The Hindu
In a first, US engages Hamas in secret talks over hostage release amid uncertain ceasefire
Hindustan Times
Trump Issues 'Last Warning' To Hamas To Release All Remaining Hostages Held In Gaza
Huff Post
Trump issues chilling final warning for Hamas to release all hostages or 'it is over for you'
Daily Mail
Trump Envoy Meets With Hamas in Direct Rare Contact
Live Mint
US confirms direct talks with Hamas as Israel warns not done in Gaza
Hindustan Times
Trump issues ‘last warning’ to Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza
Associated Press
Trump Administration Holds 'Secret Talks' With Hamas For Release Of US Hostages In Gaza: Report
ABP News
Middle East latest: The US is holding direct talks with Hamas
Associated Press
Release hostages now or you're dead: Trump after US holds talks with Hamas
India Today
US confirms direct talks with Hamas over Gaza captives
Al Jazeera
In a policy shift, U.S. and Hamas say they're in direct talks on hostages
NPR
Netanyahu warns Hamas of 'unimaginable' consequences over hostages
Daily Mail
Netanyahu threatens Hamas over hostages as Gaza talks reach an impasse
The Hindu
Israel stops the delivery of aid to Gaza until Hamas accepts U.S. ceasefire extension
NPR
Hamas hands over bodies of hostages as Israel frees Palestinian prisoners
NPR
Hamas denounces delay in release of prisoners
China Daily
Israel delays release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners over ‘humiliating’ handover of hostages
The Independent
Israel delays release of Palestinian prisoners over 'humiliating' handover of hostages
Firstpost
Israel postpones 620 Palestinian prisoner release until Hamas ends ‘humiliating ceremonies’ of hostage displays
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