Awaiting Updates: Families of Israeli Hostages in Gaza Share Accounts of Their Missing Relatives

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Spanning from the very young to the elderly, the majority being civilians, Israel reports that a minimum of 199 individuals captured during the assault by Hamas are currently detained in Gaza.

While some families received panic-stricken phone calls or text messages amid the hostilities, others learned of the situation through videos confirming the abduction of their loved ones.

In the interim, these families find themselves in a desperate situation, yearning for any information on whether their relatives are still alive. They have started to share the stories of their missing family members. Below are some of their accounts.

Yaffa Adar

Yaffa Adar had a passion for literature, communication, and remaining socially active. Even at 85 years of age, she frequently reached out to her family via WhatsApp messages and animated images. According to her granddaughter, she maintained an active Facebook presence.

With mobility becoming an increasing challenge for her in her residence in Nir Oz, near the Gaza border, her digital interactions became more valuable. Her granddaughter Adva Adar recounts that despite offers to gift her a Kindle, Yaffa preferred traditional books, cherishing their scent.

After her disappearance following the Oct. 7 attack on Nir Oz, a chilling video surfaced, showing her in a golf cart in Gaza, covered with a pink floral blanket.

The ongoing situation has evolved into the most intricate hostage crisis Israel has ever encountered, involving abductees irrespective of age. Family members adamantly refute speculations that Yaffa was unaware of the circumstances she found herself in. Concerns are mounting, especially since she requires medication for chronic conditions.

Maya and Itay Regev

Minutes after returning from an overseas family vacation, siblings Maya, 21, and Itay Regev, 18, departed to attend the Tribe of Nova music festival. Soon after, their parents received a horrifying call from Maya exclaiming, “Dad, they shot me, they shot me!”

Despite rushing to the scene, their father Ilan was denied entry. Subsequent information confirmed through a video by Hamas revealed Itay as one of the captives. The status of Maya remains undetermined, exacerbating the anguish of their parents who are left wondering about the well-being of their children.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin

At 23, Hersh Goldberg-Polin is enthusiastic about music and eager to further his education post-military service, according to his family. Last seen at the Tribe of Nova music festival on Oct. 7, where he was abducted, his family remains hopeful for his return despite his severe injuries.

Ada Sagi

A 75-year-old, Ada Sagi was planning to visit London to celebrate her birthday when she was abducted. Her son is urging international intervention while hoping her language skills could aid her precarious situation.

Karin Journo

Karin Journo, a 24-year-old French-Israeli airport worker, was identifiable in the aftermath of the attack due to a leg injury. Last communication from her indicated her realization of the grave situation, leaving her family in a state of despair.

Adina Moshe

Adina Moshe, 72, has not been heard from since she was captured, following the killing of her husband David by Hamas fighters. She had a recent history of heart surgery and lacks her needed medication.

Moran Stela Yanai

Moran Stela Yanai, a 40-year-old jewelry designer known for her compassion toward all living beings, is among those missing since a desert gathering last Saturday. Her family struggles to speak about her in the past tense, clinging to hope for her safety.

These accounts illuminate the grim reality facing the hostages and their families, adding a human element to a deeply complicated and evolving geopolitical situation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israeli hostages in Gaza

More about Israeli hostages in Gaza

• Gaza Hostage Crisis Background
• Israeli Government’s Official Statement
• Role of Hamas in Gaza Strip
• International Diplomacy in Hostage Negotiations
• Israel-Gaza Relations: Historical Context
• Current Political Landscape in Gaza Strip
• Strategies for Hostage Release in International Scenarios
• Geopolitical Implications of Hostage Situations