Relatives of hostages says Israel must move immediately to deal’s 2nd phase

Family members of hostages still held captive in Gaza say phase two of the hostage deal must commence immediately, before any return to fighting in Gaza, at a Sunday night press statement in Tel Aviv.

“Hostages immediately, Hamas afterwards,” says Lishay Miran-Lavi, whose husband Omri Miran, father of their two young daughters, is still held captive in Gaza.

“What are we waiting for?” says Miran-Lavi. “When can I get up in the morning and answer my girls’ questions about when daddy Omri is coming home?”

Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, who appeared in a Hamas propaganda video last week with his best friend, hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, says that was the first time the family saw Evyatar since he was taken captive on October 7, 2023.

“Evyatar and the others have no time left,” says David. “We’re grateful to [US President Donald] Trump. Bring us a stronger, safer deal. No stages, no phases, bring us Trump’s deal,” he says.

Time is of the essence, says Udi Goren, whose cousin Tal Haimi was killed on October 7 and his body taken hostage to Gaza.

He says his cousin and the other hostages are the cards that Hamas holds, but the hostages will not survive if Israel resumes fighting in Gaza before bringing them back.

“The living will become the dead,” says Goren.

Ella Ben Ami, whose father Ohad Ben Ami returned gaunt and emaciated during the first phase of the deal, says her father is proof that the hostages must be brought home immediately.

Now at home, Ben Ami eats half a pita after each meal as a way of thinking about the “five brothers” he left behind, says Ben Ami, describing the starvation suffered by her father and his fellow captives left in Gaza.