Families of Israeli hostages beg Trump to set ultimatum for release, get tough with allies
The families of seven Israel hostages begged President-elect Donald Trump to put his foot down and get their loved ones released – even if it means getting tough with US allies.Trump, set to return to office Jan.20, should exert pressure on countries in the Middle East such as Qatar to end the hostages’ lengthy imprisonments, the families said in a joint letter dated Tuesday.“We urge you to call your colleague, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, force him to come to the table TODAY and demand an end to these games,” the letter stated.“We need a simple American deal with Hamas left in its shadow: Hamas must immediately announce the release of all the living and dead hostages without any conditions and surrender or all Hamas leaders be immediately deported from the country and will no longer be safe anywhere in the world,” the family members added.“This is how the war with a terrorist organization in Gaza should end.
This is how your term in the White House should begin.”The letter was sent a day after it was confirmed the day that Israeli-US soldier Omer Neutra, 21, was killed by Hamas terrorists during the Oct.7, 2023 attack in Israel.
It was initially believed he had been kidnapped and taken hostage.An emotional memorial was held Tuesday for the Plainview, Long Island resident who had been serving as an Israel Defense Forces tank commander.Meanwhile, Hamas released a disturbing video of hostage Edan Alexander on Nov.30, indicating the 21-year Tenafly, New Jersey resident was still alive and providing his parents a glimmer of hope he will be released.There are some 100 hostages in Gaza, including six Americans.
Signatories of the letter to Trump include relatives of loved ones believed still alive while others were killed in captivity:The family members said, “You promised to restore order in the simplest and most obvious way – and make America great again.Now, please do the same for us.““Symbolically, this year Christmas...