Freed hostage whose husband is in Gaza says official statements could jeopardize deal

8 July 2024, 9:57 am

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Sharon Aloni Cunio, 34, her husband David Cunio, 34, and their twin daughters, Yuli and Emma, 3, were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Sharon, Yuli and Emma were released on November 27, 2023. (Courtesy)

A day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a list of what he said were nonnegotiable Israeli demands for a potential deal, a freed hostage whose husband is still held in Gaza says she is losing faith.

Sharon Alony Cunio and her 3-year-old twins were released from Gaza in November. Her husband David Cunio is still being held by terrorists in the Strip.

“I was very optimistic, but as the days pass you suddenly notice that the messages that come out are more focused on the gaps [between the sides],” she tells Army Radio. “Don’t jeopardize the deal with statements.”

Yesterday’s statement from Netanyahu’s office was met with anger by Israeli security officials and mediators, who, not for the first time, accused the prime minister of trying to sabotage the deal.