As Israel strikes in Gaza, hostage’s wife says she may need ‘to prepare to sit shiva’

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Omri Miran (center) from Kibbutz Nir Oz, with his wife Lishay (left) and daughter Roni; Omri was taken captive by Hamas terrorists to Gaza on October 7, 2023 (Noa Sharvit/Courtesy)
Omri Miran (center) from Kibbutz Nir Oz, with his wife Lishay (left) and daughter Roni; Omri was taken captive by Hamas terrorists to Gaza on October 7, 2023 (Noa Sharvit/Courtesy)

Lishay Miran Lavi, whose husband Omri Miran is held captive in Gaza, notes he has managed to survive for 529 days since being taken hostage but expresses concern that Israel’s resumption of airstrikes puts his life at risk.

“It could be that after today, when IDF strikes hit Gaza at 3 in the morning, that I should prepare to sit shiva,” says Miran Lavi at the Knesset. “It could be that that is the situation, and the government of Israel and the public need to understand that.”

Lishay Miran Lavi (center) at the Knesset on March 18, 2025 (Hostages Families Forum)

Dani Elgarat, whose brother Itzik Elgarat was killed in captivity, charges that by ending the ceasefire, the government is “going to destroy” the remaining hostages.

“The government has decided that the fate of the hostages will be like the fate of Hamas terrorists,” says Elgarat. “They are going to destroy them there.”

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