'Their strength is to be together'

A mother’s anguish: One son to be freed from Gaza, another left behind

Ruth Strom’s son Iair Horn among 33 hostages to be released in deal’s first phase, suggests he is unwell, while Eitan Horn is to remain in Gaza for now

Ruth Strom speaks at a commemorative event for residents of Kfar Sava in Hamas captivity, July 9, 2024. Her two captive sons are depicted on the mural behind her: Eitan Horn, left, and Iair Horn. (Screen capture: Facebook/Bring Them Home Now -- Kfar Saba, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Ruth Strom speaks at a commemorative event for residents of Kfar Sava in Hamas captivity, July 9, 2024. Her two captive sons are depicted on the mural behind her: Eitan Horn, left, and Iair Horn. (Screen capture: Facebook/Bring Them Home Now -- Kfar Saba, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

News that Israel and Hamas have reached a hostage release deal after 15 months of war in Gaza is bittersweet for Ruth Strom: One of her sons is expected to be returned, but a second will be left behind in captivity for now.

“It is not easy for a mother to hear this,” Strom told Reuters, wearing a red t-shirt emblazoned with photos of her two sons and the plea: “Bring Iair and Eitan home.”

Although she has no information on their whereabouts in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, Strom said she was sure they had been kept together.

“But what will happen at the moment when they will be separated and told that one is coming out and one is not?” she said, her voice quivering. “I know that their strength is to be together, to be there for each other.”

Eitan, 38, was staying with his brother Iair, 46, at his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz near Gaza when Hamas launched its thousands-strong attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, sparking the war.

Ninety-eight hostages are still in captivity, some of whom are believed to be dead. Under the terms of Wednesday’s ceasefire, only 33 hostages will be released over the next six weeks, including women and children, men over 50, and sick or wounded people. The handover of the remaining 65 is due to be negotiated subsequently.

Brothers Eitan (left) and Iair Horn were kidnapped from Iair’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz when Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, 2023. (Courtesy)

Some of the 33 who will be returned in the first phase are no longer alive, but Israel does not yet have info on who is deceased.

Iair’s inclusion in the first round of hostages to be released suggests he may not be well, although there has been no word about his health.

Since the abduction of Iair and Eitan, Ruth has clung to fragments of information about them. The last confirmation of their well-being came during a brief truce in November 2023, when some released hostages mentioned seeing the brothers alive.

“They said that they were not injured,” she recounted. “At first, they were held in an apartment but were later moved to the tunnels.”

A military helicopter with released hostage Mia Schem arrives at the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, on November 30, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Staying optimistic

Strom said she talks to her sons aloud all the time, as though they were still with her.

“I ask them to wait just a little longer, it will happen and you will be back with us. I ask for their forgiveness, for all the time that has passed in which they are not back here.”

The family originally came from Argentina but immigrated to Israel to set down roots in Jewish communities. The bushy-bearded Eitan lives with his mother in the central city of Kfar Saba, while Iair embraced community living in a kibbutz.

“I have been optimistic from the first day, despite the ups and downs,” said Ruth.

She has thrown herself tirelessly into campaigning for the release of all the hostages, whose faces are plastered on posters across Israel, covering bus stops, stapled to trees, and wrapped around lampposts.

Illustrative: People walk next to pictures of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Jerusalem, January 12, 2025 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

“It’s true that I cry and that I am angry, but I feel that there is no point in falling, staying in bed and not wanting to see anybody, or talk, or do anything,” she said.

“I want all 98 hostages to be brought home,” she said, making a direct plea to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I ask you, Bibi, do everything. The people are with you. You have the support to make this happen.”

While she prepares for Iair’s return, Ruth allows herself to imagine the moment when both sons will be reunited with her. “I picture us together in the hospital, that I’ll be able to give them everything they need,” she said.

“I’m waiting for that embrace.”

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