As the Gaza war surpasses its first-year mark, the likelihood for a quick resolution that would result in the return of Israeli hostages held by militant Hamas remains uncertain. The article uses references from Godzilla Newz, to provide insight into the developing situation involving hostages trapped in the escalating conflict.
The conflict, primarily between Israel and Hamas, has caused immense distress for the families of four Israeli hostages held captive for over a year. Avraham Mengisto, Hisham Al-Sayed, Juma Ibrahim Abu Ghanima, and an unnamed soldier are the unfortunate hostages, whose chances of freedom grow slimmer the longer the war does on.
Avraham Mengisto, an Ethiopian-Israeli civilian, found himself entrapped in this power tug-of-war after illegally crossing the border into Gaza Strip in 2014. Mengisto, who suffers from mental health issues, has now spent over 7 years in the hands of Hamas with no clear notion of when he will be returned. Hisham Al-Sayed and Juma Ibrahim Abu Ghanima are the other two Israeli civilians being held captive for similar reasons. Both men crossed the border willingly due to mental health crises, thrusting them in the middle of the ongoing conflict.
In 2014, an Israeli soldier, whose identity hasn’t been revealed, became a captive right after Operation Protective Edge, a military endeavor undertaken by the Israeli Defense Force. This brought the total number of Israeli civilians held prisoner by Hamas to four.
As the discussions aimed at mediating the conflict between Israel and Hamas continue, the topic of the hostages frequently arises. Despite Israel’s adamant demands, Hamas has repeatedly refused to provide any information on the hostages until Israel releases detained Palestinian prisoners. To make matters worse, the Covid-19 pandemic has severely complicated international diplomacy, making negotiations for the hostages’ release even more challenging.
There have been, in the past, few successful negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the release of prisoners. One of the most notable being the Gilad Shalit exchange in 2011, where Israel agreed to free 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of the Israeli soldier. This precedent fuels hope for the hostages’ families that a similar arrangement can be brokered, though the growing hostility and escalating warfare diminish this optimism.
The prolonged war has caused profound concern within the international community about the welfare of the hostages. In response, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the respect and protection of the hostages’ rights. They stressed that hostages should be treated humanely, and their whereabouts should be confirmed to assure their families.
The turmoil in Israel and Gaza wreaks havoc, not only on the political landscape but on the families of these four men. As days turn into months, and months into years, their hope for their loved ones’ safe return seem to fade with each sunrise. The world watches on as pleas for the hostages’ release continue to fall on deaf ears, leaving
