During the attack on October 7, 2023, 1,205 people were killed by Hamas commandos. A massacre. A tragic anniversary which also marks the start of the war in Gaza, and the carnage committed there by the Israeli army. The massacre of some 42,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. In Israel, on October 7, a majority of civilians also lost their lives or were kidnapped. But Hamas has also shot down or captured Israeli soldiers, like Agam Berger. She is detained in Gaza. His father, Shlomi Berger, fears that the hostage question will never be resolved, against the backdrop of a new war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
3 mins
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Sami Boukhelifa
“ They will forget about the hostages in Gaza, until they finish in the north with the Hezbollahthen it will be Iran. Who knows what will happen… » For a year, Shlomi Berger has been fighting for the return of her daughter Agam, and all the other captives in the hands of Hamas.
“ For us, this is an extremely difficult time and I speak on behalf of all the hostage families. We find ourselves in the worst situation. We don’t know what they’re going through. », he worries.
“ Benyamin Netanyahu should show flexibility »
Despite the statements, the release of the hostages has always been a secondary issue for the Israeli government. From the start, the Prime Minister’s number one objective Benyamin Netanyahu was: the eradication of Hamas. A year has passed. Hamas is still there.
“ It is up to us, it is up to the Israeli government to act to free them. Benyamin Netanyahu shows firmness against Hamas. All right. But in reality, he should show flexibility in negotiations », thinks Shlomi Berger.
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“ If I had to stop and think about what my daughter is going through […]I would collapse »
Agam Berger was captured at the Nahal Oz military base, less than 1 km from Gaza, and taken to the Palestinian enclave with four other soldiers. Everything was filmed by Hamas.
“ Agam was 19 years old. And she has just celebrated – as if we could call it a celebration – her twentieth birthday in August in Gaza. If I had to stop and think about what my daughter goes through day to day, I would break down. Does she sleep well? Is she constantly harassed? I don’t know. Is she still alive? I don’t know. I can’t take all this “, explains Shlomi Berger.
Agam has a twin sister. Liam. “ Liam says she still feels his presence “. She is convinced that her sister is still alive.
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