The Israeli army announced the death of Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, during an operation in the Gaza Strip on Thursday October 17. For the hostages’ relatives and associations, now is the time or never to work for their release. There are still 101 of them in the hands of Hamas.
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With our special envoy in Jerusalem, Nicolas Feldmann
Like almost every evening, Sarah came to the tent that had been set up for a year holding up one of the portraits of the hostages. “ I don’t really know how to feel, because obviously I think Hamas shouldn’t exist. But at the same time, I can’t rejoice when someone dies. In the end, the prospect of finding an agreement is a big step “, she notes.
From theannouncement of the death of Yahya Sinwarthe Hostage Families Forum appealed to the government to capitalize on the moment.
“ We are at a turning point. The objectives set for the war against Gaza have been achieved, with the exception of the release of the hostages. Sinwar, who was described as a major obstacle to a deal, is no longer alive. It is essential that all attention now be focused on achieving the goal of an agreement that will secure the release of our son Omer and the other hostages », Explains Ronen Neutra, the father of a hostage kidnapped on October 7.
101 hostages still in Gaza
“ It is of course good news that Yahya Sinwar is no longer with us, but our happiness is impossible until all the hostages are returned. We are not seeking revenge, nor are we seeking the death of those who killed the six hostagesexplains Gil Dickman, the cousin of Carmel Gat, one of the six hostages found dead at the end of August in Gaza. What we want is the release of the 101 hostages. These are still in the hands of Hamas. So there is a real opportunity to get them out and back home. We must seize the moment and the opportunity to reclaim them. Revenge is not enough. Life must come first. We must emerge victorious from this horrible fight. »
Thursday October 17, Benyamin Netanyahu opened the door to dialogue, stating that “ those who will lay down their arms and return the hostages » will be able to « live and leave “.
Also readWhat reactions in Lebanon to the announcement of the death of Yahya Sinwar?