In a strong symbolic gesture, bereaved families, relatives of hostages and reservists gathered Thursday at the Israeli presidential residence to deliver to President Isaac Herzog a declaration of “mutual solidarity” aimed at supporting the agreement for the release of 98 hostages still held in Gaza.
This meeting brought together in particular the families of Captain Omer Neutra, Lieutenant Harel Shrem and Staff Sergeant Ben Zussman, all fallen in combat, as well as the family of Bar Kupershtein, still hostage, and the mother of Yotam Haim, who died in captivity .
“We must do everything to bring them all home, absolutely all of them,” President Herzog said with emotion. He strongly supported the proposed deal, calling it “more fair and necessary”, while revealing that a “stubborn negotiation on a very significant detail” was still underway.
Lieutenant Harel Shrem’s sister, Tali Liberman, testified: “When Harel died, I understood that I had a duty to continue the path he had chosen. On October 7, I realized that “We had to pursue not only his life mission, but also the mission for which he gave his life: our security here.”
In their joint statement, the families lend their support to the political and military leaders, urging them to do whatever is necessary to ensure both the return of the hostages and the future security of Israel.
President Herzog stressed the crucial importance of national unity in these difficult times, saying that “without bringing back the hostages, we will be left with a scar that will mark our people for generations.”
This remarkable initiative demonstrates the ability of Israeli society to transcend personal pain to work toward a common goal, even in the darkest moments of its history.
