Using allure of potential Nobel Peace Prize, hostages’ families urge Trump to end the Gaza war

Relatives of the hostages held a press conference outside the US Embassy branch in Tel Aviv earlier today, calling on US President Donald Trump to “make history again” and end the war in Gaza through a comprehensive hostage and ceasefire deal.

Sitting behind a large banner reading “Trump, Make History,” and in front of supporters holding mock-ups of Trump as a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, the families implored the US president to use pressure to free their loved ones, end the war in Gaza and restore calm to the Middle East.

“The Israeli government is in the midst of a new operation. An operation to ‘turn a blind eye and a deaf ear,'” said Lishay Miran-Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran. “They don’t want to hear, they don’t want to see. But we won’t let them ignore it.”

“You have the power and ability to make history again, and to bring the greatest deal that will end this war and shape the Middle East for generations to come,” she implored.

Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, tells Trump that the only thing blocking the implementation of his vision for the Middle East and a Nobel prize is “the release of the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza,” while Gil Dickmann, the cousin of slain hostage Carmel Gat, tells him that “history will remember you as the one who made this deal.”

Chen recalls the heavy losses sustained by the US during the Vietnam War, which he says were due to then-president Richard Nixon prolonging the war “not for strategic reasons, but for political reasons.”

“Mr. President and Mr. Witkoff, our hope and strength are fading,” he pleads. “We need you to bring the light that will end the war, expand the Abraham Accords, and bring peace to the region.”