A digital banner, calling for the return of the hostages kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas cross-border onslaught in Israel, stands outside the International Court of Justice prior to a hearing in The Hague, Netherlands, Jan. 11, 2024 (AP Photo/Patrick Post)
The brother of a man held hostage in the Gaza Strip says today’s hearing at The Hague is utterly absurd, with the court discussing Israel’s actions rather than the terrorists’.
“Only Israelis can understand the magnitude of the absurdity — 136 are kidnapped to Gaza by monsters, and they talk about Israel committing genocide,” Michael Levy, whose brother Or is held in Gaza, tells the Kan public broadcaster.
“There is an understanding that something much bigger is happening here beyond just the ridiculous accusations,” he says.
Or Levy, 33, was taken hostage when terrorists stormed the Nova festival on October 7. His wife Eynav Elkayam Levy, 32, was murdered.
The two have a two-year-old son.
Or (left) and Eynav Levy went to the Supernova desert rave on October 7; Eynav was killed and Or is considered missing (Michael Levy via AP)
Relatives of a number of hostages are at The Hague as they campaign for loved ones’ release.
It is believed that 132 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza — not all of them alive. Hamas is also holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014, as well as two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are both thought to be alive after entering the Strip of their own accord in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 11, 2024
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