In first, UN Security Council holds meeting solely focused on hostages held by Hamas

UNITED NATIONS — Shoshan Haran, her daughter and two grandchildren were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists in Israel on October 7. Now, Haran is recalling the effects of 50 days in captivity on her three-year-old granddaughter when they were finally released.

“Three weeks after we were released, Yahel only whispers, too afraid to make a noise. She hid from everyone, too afraid to go outside. She wet the bed and had nightmares, too afraid she may be captured again,” Haran tells an informal UN Security Council meeting on Thursday, convened by the United States.

Hamas-led terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seizing 252 hostages.

The US meeting focused on “condemning the hostage-taking in Israel on October 7 as a psychological tool of terrorism.”

Ayelet Samerano, whose son was killed on October 7 and his body taken by Hamas, and Gili Roman, whose sister was taken hostage and released in November, also address the gathering.

In three resolutions, the UN Security Council has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

“Yet Hamas and other terrorist groups have not relented. So today, let us again demand Hamas release all remaining hostages,” says US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “To put it simply: It would save lives on all sides.”

In awe of the courage of Dr. Shoshan Haran, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th – and Ayelet Samerano and Gili Roman, whose family members remain in the hands of Hamas.

Today, they came to the @UN to demand the release of all hostages being held by Hamas and other… pic.twitter.com/lvbUnNxjX7

— U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (@USAmbUN) May 16, 2024

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan tells the meeting that 132 hostages taken on October 7 are still being held in Gaza and that this is the “first meeting being held by any UN body to focus on their suffering and ways to release them.”

“The hostages are the most urgent and critical humanitarian issue that the council must focus on,” Erdan says.

“Has the council condemned Hamas and demanded they permit the Red Cross to check on the hostages? Have you imposed sanctions on Hamas leadership until they release the hostages? What action has been taken?” he adds.