What this is about
Margalit Moses, a former hostage held by Hamas in Gaza and released in November, announced her decision not to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other released hostages. Moses expressed disapproval of the meeting, viewing it as a photo opportunity rather than a productive step towards rescuing those still held captive.
Why it matters
Margalit Moses’s refusal to engage with Prime Minister Netanyahu underscores a broader frustration over the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage situation. Her stance brings attention to the continued struggle and suffering of hostages still held by Hamas, accentuating the urgency for effective measures to bring them home safely.
Details
Moses, 78, voiced her discontent, stating, “Thank you for the invitation, but I will not take part in a meeting for the sake of a photograph and public relations while my friends are suffering in Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza.” Moses highlighted that the prolonged negotiations since October 7 had led to the return of hostages in caskets rather than alive.
Recent Tragic Discoveries
Moses’s decision followed the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) retrieval of the bodies of hostages Alex Dancyg, 75, Yagev Buchshtav, 35, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, Nadav Popplewell, 51, and Avraham Munder, 78. Autopsies showed these individuals had been killed by gunshots.
Moses’s Criticism
Furthermore, Moses cited reports that Netanyahu was attempting to undermine a potential deal that could have facilitated the hostages’ release in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners. “I see no reason to go to a meeting with the person who proves with his actions that releasing the hostages is not at the top of his priorities,” Moses wrote.
Ongoing Negotiations
The Israeli government and Hamas have been engaged in persistent negotiations, but efforts have been tainted by accusations of sabotage and non-cooperation from both sides. Critics claim Netanyahu had introduced changing demands that have stalled progress.
Sustained Advocacy and Protest
A scheduled meeting will see nine released hostages, who still have relatives captive in Gaza, give a statement post-meeting. Moses’s harrowing ordeal began on October 7 when Hamas took her and several others hostage. She described harsh conditions, stating terrorists deprived her of necessary medical equipment.
The Gravity of the Situation
Approximately 105 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas since October 7 remain in Gaza, including 34 whose deaths have been confirmed by the IDF. Despite a recent truce and ongoing negotiations, the path to bringing them home remains fraught with challenges.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.