Hostage’s brother tells US lawmakers Netanyahu doesn’t seem to understand urgency of captives’ plight

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Daniel Neutra, brother of Israeli-American Hamas hostage Omer Neutra, speaks to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 23, 2024. (Screen capture/YouTube)
Daniel Neutra, brother of Israeli-American Hamas hostage Omer Neutra, speaks to the US House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 23, 2024. (Screen capture/YouTube)

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not demonstrate that he understands the urgency of the plight of the hostages during his meeting with their families in Washington yesterday, one of the relatives tells the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.

“I have to say that the urgency of the matter did not seem to resonate with him,” says Daniel Neutra, whose brother Omer is one of the 120 hostages being held in Gaza and one of the eight with American citizenship.

Netanyahu “did not answer when we asked him why he is only sending his negotiators to keep the process going on Thursday, instead of days ago,” he adds.

“We must continue putting pressure on all parties involved, including Hamas, to accept this deal now before more people die in captivity.”

Committee chair Rep. Michael McCaul tells Neutra that he’s meeting with Netanyahu tomorrow and will raise the issue with him.

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