About 30 children were taken hostage by Hamas militants. Their families wait in agony

On October 7, Hamas militants invaded the kibbutz Kfar Azza, killing several residents and taking hostages, including about 30 children. Among the hostages was a 3-year-old girl named Abigail Edan, whose parents were killed during the assault.

The families of the hostages are living in a state of intense emotional distress, oscillating between hope and despair. They are actively speaking to the media in a desperate effort to gather information and to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.

Nearly half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population consists of children. The Hamas-run Health Ministry reported that out of more than 7,000 Palestinians killed, 2,913 are minors. Over 800 children in Gaza are also reported missing.

Yes, taking civilians hostage is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

Danielle Gilbert, an assistant professor of political science at Northwestern University, mentioned that taking children as hostages is extremely rare in conflicts. This is because abductors typically see value in hostages who are men aged between 18 and 65, as children are less likely to survive such ordeals.

Families are vigorously engaging with the media and utilizing social platforms to spread the word about their missing family members. They are seeking information, proof of life, and advocating for their loved ones’ return.

The families describe experiencing a spectrum of emotions, from hope to despair and anger. Sleep has been elusive, and any distraction from their worst fears is welcome.

There is no specific ritual in Jewish tradition for children who are held hostage in war. Families are doing their best to keep the presence of their missing children alive in their thoughts and conversations.

The article does not provide detailed information on the Israeli government’s efforts to secure the hostages’ return. However, some families have begun to openly criticize the government for not doing enough to bring their children back.

Limited information is available on the conditions of the hostages. Some families have seen photos or videos of their loved ones in captivity, providing some assurance that they are alive but also deepening concerns about their well-being.