Relatives of hostages held by Hamas gathered near a border fence in Israel, desperately shouting messages to their loved ones still trapped in Gaza. The Israeli government has identified seven kidnapped individuals, believed to be alive, from an attack on October 7, 96 days ago. Among them are several American citizens, including a 19-year-old girl named Agam Burger. Disturbing footage released by Hamas shows Agam before and after her abduction, clearly highlighting the dire conditions she has endured during her captivity.
Agam's father, speaking from his agonizing wait for her return, expressed the unbearable pain of not knowing his daughter's whereabouts or her physical and emotional state. He shared the deep fear that Hamas, known to use sexual violence against women, might be subjecting her to unimaginable horrors. The entire family is in distress, with Agam's siblings unable to focus on anything but her absence.
Adding to their anguish, the relatives of the hostages are dismayed by the ongoing trial of the Israeli government before the International Court of Justice, where they face allegations of genocide. They feel that the world has turned a blind eye to the suffering endured by Israelis, having lost 400 lives and with 136 individuals still held captive in Gaza. They question the global silence on these crimes and find it especially difficult to comprehend the labeling of the Israeli Defense Forces, considered one of the most moral armies in the world, as perpetrators of war crimes.
While some families have expressed frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu's focus on attacking Hamas rather than rescuing the hostages, Agam's father refrains from critiquing political decisions, acknowledging the complexity of the situation. However, he firmly believes that the United States government can do more to assist in securing the release of the hostages. He calls for increased pressure on Qatar, the financial supporter of Hamas, highlighting their role in the ongoing crisis.
Agam, a talented violinist, and a college-bound teenager, has been robbed of her freedom for 100 days. The grief-stricken father emphasizes the urgency of bringing her back safely and pleads for international support to pressure Qatar into ending this ordeal.
As the news organization covering this heart-wrenching situation, we stand committed to providing updates and raising awareness until Agam and the other hostages are safely reunited with their families.
