“We are afraid for the hostages.” Jocelyne is careful not to be overly optimistic. This 77-year-old from Nice saw her grandson Eitan return from the Gaza Strip at the end of November 2023, fifty-two days after his capture in the kibbutz of Nir Oz. But his son-in-law, Ohad Yaholami, is still in the hands of Hamas.
Since April 2024, Jocelyne has been alongside her daughter Bat Sheva in Israel, to support her in this ordeal which is eating away at the families of Israeli hostages. 33 of them should be released from Sunday, according to the ceasefire agreement formalized by Qatar on Wednesday. Ohad Yaholami is among them. But for now, anxiety prevails over hope.
What do you know about the prospects for the release of your son-in-law Ohad?
Ohad and Ofer, the two French people, are on the list of 33 hostages who must be released. The liberation will take place from Sunday, but three by three, starting with the babies – there are still babies in the hands of Hamas! –, then women over 50, then perhaps Ohad. I got the consulate. They have no information on the situation of the two French people. We don’t know if they are alive or not. We don’t even know if these lists aren’t yet a scam on the part of Hamas! We are in anguish.
Is Ohad among the men over 50 who will be released soon?
He spent his 50th birthday in Gaza. Besides, he was injured… So maybe they’ll release him. According to the video they shared last January, Ohad is in the hands of the jihadists. But is he alive or dead? We don’t know… it’s becoming obsessive.
Since the announcement of this agreement, have you experienced mixed feelings of anxiety and hope?
We try to hold on. I believe in life, in its benefits, and I tell myself that they will not win. I always kept hope. I’m waiting. I’m so upset… But I think it’s even worse for Eitan and Bat Sheva [sa fille]. It’s hell for families. These hostages were kidnapped from their home, from their family. They were not prisoners of war who had weapons. They wanted to make peace with the Arabs!
How is Eitan experiencing the situation, he who was released at the end of November 2023?
Eitan suffered there. At first, he really thought his father was going to be returned. And it lasts, it lasts… It’s very difficult for him. He’s a little angry at the adults who didn’t free his father. He follows his schooling, he still plays sports. He loves football, like Ohad. It reminds him of his father.
Are you confident about the confirmation of the agreement?
We are rather on the alert. They have already told us several times that there will be an agreement… This time, I am almost sure there will be one. There is pressure from Trump coming. But you can never be sure with Hamas.
Do you believe the end of the war is possible soon?
This is not at all the end of hostilities but a six-week truce. From the moment Hamas and the Palestinians do not want to recognize Israel, and Israel does not want to recognize the Palestinian state, there is no possible end. Until we educate people about peace, there is no solution.
