As the conflict in Gaza continues, families of hostages held by Hamas express increasing anxiety regarding the fate of their loved ones. Among them are Liran Berman, whose twin brothers, Gali and Ziv Berman, have endured 19 months in captivity since their abduction from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023. The uncertainty surrounding their well-being compounds the grief and distress experienced by the families of the 59 remaining hostages still believed to be alive.
On that unprecedented day, Hamas unleashed a coordinated operation. 251 people held hostage At peak, 251 were held hostage in this crisis. Since then, Israeli authorities have confirmed the deaths of 35 of those hostages, leaving 24 of those individuals still missing. These numbers highlight a grim reality: while efforts for negotiation and exchange continue, the mental and physical health of the hostages remains a significant concern.
Now the concerns that poet Liran Berman has for his brothers are relatable, and they are universal. Mental condition He said that their mental state upon release after years of such long-held captivity is “not good. He fears for the psychological impact that the situation may have on them, stating, “I’m concerned it will affect the hostages, that the terrorists can decide to do something to them.” Berman’s long-simmering anxiety is a sentiment widely felt by families who are still managing the unknowns of where their family members are.
The continuing misery of other former hostages makes their case even more pressing. Or Levy was held captive in this condition for 491 days after being kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7. He came out of his death sentence extremely underweight. Eliya Cohen, who was detained for 505 days, described the dehumanizing experiences she endured within detention, such as weekly mandated strip searches. Tal Shoham, another survivor released after 505 days, described how hunger became a constant torment: “There were many times that we received just one pita bread for an entire day… Traumatised by hunger, we collected crumb after crumb.”
Recent remarks from leaders have given a deeply disturbing sign of things to come. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that only 21 of the people we had caught were still alive. This assertion flies in the face of Israeli sources, who maintain 24 hostages are still alive. Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted to an “uncertainty” about three of these previously seemingly secure figures. This contradictory advice highlights the confusing and haphazard approach of government hostage negotiation policy.
Liran Berman, urging international leaders to do more. He expects them to crank out every ounce of leverage that they can in order to win these hostages’ release. He is unapologetic for his conviction that a “crime against humanity” is being committed. He highlighted the need for urgency in the call to action and to return those impacted home. He noted the fear that his brother harbors about the fate of other hostages: “My brother worries about the fact the rest of the hostages will end up dying in captivity because that was his worst fear about himself and it’s now his worst fear about those he left behind.”
Berman conveyed cautious optimism towards Israeli military efforts, remarking, “I do believe the army knows what it’s doing and they will make sure the hostages aren’t affected, but it’s always a concern.” He thinks that stronger military actions might just bring Hamas to the negotiating table. His ultimate wish is for these measures to stop further retribution. “When Hamas was feeling threatened, they did the deals,” he stated. “I hope they are not sending the troops to conquer or for revenge.”
The remaining living hostages include people of all ages, but mainly men in their 20s and 30s. One of these veteran nominees is Omri Miran, who just celebrated his 48th birthday in April. This tragic demographic of the confirmed deceased hostages. The majority, at 93 percent, were men, who ranged in age from 19 to 86 when they died.
Even as this developing story goes to press with families still waiting and hoping for a resolution turning up on their doorsteps. Whether emotional, whether physical, that’s ground zero to the impact on families of having loved ones in captivity. They endure constant chaos and live with deep concern for their wellbeing.
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