Family of Israeli hostages call government’s decision to annex Gaza ‘profoundly disturbing’

The Israeli cabinet decision is profoundly disturbing to hostage families. The head of the IDF has said that he is against the government decision and that it would almost certainly bring about the death of hostages. My mother, Yocheved, has said again and again how, when she was held in Gaza, she and other hostages feared an IDF advance – that the thing they were most afraid of was the army trying to rescue them because they knew they would get a bullet to the head.

The government has an interest in the hostages remaining in Gaza. It wants to use them to hold on to power and prevent the end of the war. It does not want to reach a long-term agreement. It wants to continue occupying and annexing. It shares an all-or-nothing vision with the fanatics on the other side.

I do not believe in revenge. My father believed in compassion, education and building bridges with our bitter enemies from a deep responsibility for our future in this region. I have no sympathy for Hamas and the devastation it continues to bring on their people. But I wish my neighbours a future in a moderate country next to ours.

After a recent demonstration against the government, I saw one of the other hostage families. They were sitting, crying their hearts out. I cannot describe how much pain there is – how much sadness there is – that after 674 days our loved ones are still being held in Gaza. It’s our tragedy and our life’s work to make this region a safe place for all its children.