A year after the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, 101 civilians remain in captivity, enduring a humanitarian crisis that continues to deepen. Despite the passage of time and the release of some hostages during ceasefires, the international community has failed to muster a united, forceful response to secure the freedom of these individuals. These hostages include children, young soldiers, elderly people, entire families, and foreign nationals, each with a story of heartbreak and resilience that demands our attention and action.
The stories of those taken from their homes, kibbutzim, and even a music festival highlight the terror that unfolded that day. Among the hostages are:
• Emily Damari, a 28-year-old with dual British-Israeli nationality, was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Her mother, Mandy, spoke at a memorial event in London, revealing that hostages released in November 2023 had reported having contact with Emily in captivity.
• Alexander (Sasha) Troufanov, 28, was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his mother Lena, his partner Sapir Cohen, and his grandmother, Irina Tati. While his mother, partner, and grandmother were released in November, Sasha remains unaccounted for.
• David Cunio, 34, was abducted from Nir Oz, along with his brothers Ariel and Eitan. While David’s wife and their twin daughters were released in November, David and Ariel are still missing. Eitan managed to escape Hamas during the attack.
• Doron Steinbrecher, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza after sending a voice message saying, “They’ve arrived, they have me.”
• Naama Levy, a 20-year-old new military recruit, was filmed being captured with her hands tied behind her back, with the footage circulated widely by Hamas.
• The Zyadna Family, a Bedouin family abducted from Kibbutz Holit, included Yousef, a 53-year-old dairy farmer, and his children Hamza, 23, Bilal, 19, and Aisha, 17. Though Aisha and Bilal were released in November, Yousef and Hamza remain captive.
• Twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, 27, were taken from Kfar Aza. Their family has been informed that the brothers are held in Gaza, yet no further information has emerged since then.
• Daniela Gilboa, 20, a soldier based at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, appeared in a Hamas propaganda video released in July 2024, appealing for the Israeli government to bring her and other hostages home.
• Oded Lifshitz, 84, a retired journalist, was abducted from Nir Oz. His wife was freed in October 2023, but Oded’s fate remains uncertain.
These stories, and the many others involving soldiers, festival-goers, and civilians like Eli Sharabi, Gadi Moses, and Bar Kuperstein, paint a picture of immense suffering and uncertainty that extends to the families left behind.
The hostage crisis is not just an issue for Israel or the families involved; it is a global humanitarian challenge. Despite the moral and legal imperatives under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions which condemn the taking of civilians as hostages, there has been no unified global campaign to secure their release. Statements of support have been issued, but meaningful action has been lacking.
This inaction risks setting a dangerous precedent where terrorist groups may feel emboldened to take civilians as hostages, using them as leverage in political negotiations without fear of substantial international repercussions. The 101 hostages in Gaza symbolize not only individual lives at risk but also the fragility of global humanitarian principles.
These hostages are not mere statistics; they are people with families and dreams who were ripped from their lives during a horrific act of violence. The global community must be reminded that each hostage represents an untold story of terror and survival. For instance:
• Bipin Joshi, a 23-year-old Nepalese agriculture student, was taken from Kibbutz Alumim. Israeli intelligence traced his phone to Gaza, confirming his captivity, but there has been no further news of his condition.
• Omer Neutra, 22, an Israeli-American soldier whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, was serving as a tank commander near Gaza when he was abducted.
• Ofer Kalderon, 53, was taken along with his two children from Nir Oz. His other family members, including 12-year-old Erez and eight-year-old Sahar, were freed during ceasefire negotiations, but Ofer remains captive.
For many hostages, there has been no communication, no proof of life, and no indication of their health or safety. This silence extends the suffering not only of the hostages but also of their families, who are forced to endure daily anguish without answers.
As days turn into months, the lives of 101 hostages hang in the balance. These individuals face unimaginable conditions while the international community remains disturbingly silent. The world cannot afford to forget their plight or allow their stories to fade from public discourse.
Each story—whether of Liri Albag, a young army recruit passing messages through released hostages, or Maxim Kharkin, whose family has not heard from him since being taken from the Supernova festival—serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of inaction.
The ongoing captivity of these 101 hostages is a moral test for the world. It is not merely a political issue confined to Israel; it is a humanitarian emergency that calls for an uncompromising global response. Failure to act not only forsakes these hostages and their families but also undermines the principles of humanity and justice that the international community claims to uphold.
The world must now come together, set aside political differences, and focus on a collective effort to bring these innocent civilians home. It is time to act—before the voices of 101 hostages are permanently silenced by inaction.
