Israeli families seek high-level help to bring hostages home before cold season
Relatives of Gaza hostages met with Pope Francis in Rome seeking support for quick release of captives. Group asks US leaders to set politics aside and work on getting 101 people back home
In a Rome gathering last week Israeli families whose loved-ones are held in Gaza met with local Jewish leaders and Pope Francis seeking help for hostage release. The meeting included both ex-hostages and relatives of those still held-captive since last falls attack
The group made a time-sensitive request to Joe Biden and Donald Trump asking them to work as a team: “Its not about left or right its about getting people back before winter comes“ explained Sharon Lifshitz whose mom got freed last year but dad remains in captivity
The pope has been very kind to us; he promised to continue pray for our people to continue to pray for each and everyone of the hostages
Norberto Louis Har (who got rescued by Israeli forces about 9 months ago) shared his straight-forward view that political sides dont matter — only bringing everyone home does. During Vatican visit families showed the Pope pictures of their loved-ones with names and ages written down
The numbers paint a clear picture of the situation: out of original captives taken during 10/7/23 attack 117 made it home alive (including 4 early-war releases) while 37 didnt survive. Current count shows 101 people still missing in Gaza with at least 50% believed to be alive
