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As Israel intensifies its raids on Lebanon, British family members of hostages that are still held in Gaza have warned that it could distract from what should be Israel’s primary focus, which is to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages. They met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London this week.
Steve Brisley, whose brother-in-law Eli Sharabi remains imprisoned, said he feels that the hostages have been forgotten. There had been an “abject failure of international diplomacy” in securing a hostage return deal according to Brisley. He called on the UK government, which supports a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages, to find a “new and innovative” approach to end the crisis.
“Fifty-one weeks have passed since the attack, 51 weeks since my family was torn apart,” he said.
In an interview with National Security News, Ayelet Svatitzky, sister of murder victims Roi and Nadav Popplewell, revealed the ongoing trauma faced by her family as Hamas continues using the image of her brother for propaganda.
Sharone Lifschitz, whose mother, Yocheved, has been released but whose 84-year-old father still remains in captivity, emphasised the need to resolve the hostage situation before addressing broader issues in the region.
She said there are many people in Gaza who love their children and want a sustainable way of life. That could be built on, according to the London-based academic and filmmaker. She also believes that peace with the people from Gaza is possible.
“When my mom came back after 17 days of being a hostage, she said, ‘Sharone, we made peace with the Germans. We will make peace with the Palestinians, too. It’s the only way forward.’”
