Hostage Situation Continues to Cause Heartache for Families in Israel
JERUSALEM — Ruhama Bohbot was at home watching the news when she heard U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding hostages in Gaza. He stated that at least three of the 24 hostages believed to be alive were now likely dead. This news struck fear and anger in her heart, as her own son, Elkana, has been held captive since being taken by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023.
During a ceremony for his special envoy to the Middle East, Trump confirmed, “As of today, it’s 21, three have died.” Despite this chilling update, Bohbot’s family hasn’t received any formal communication from Israeli officials regarding the status of the hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously claimed that all 24 hostages were still alive, only for his wife to suggest otherwise in a moment that was later dismissed as a "slip of the tongue." The uncertainty over the fate of the hostages is emotionally taxing for families like Bohbot’s. “We are trying to hold on to hope,” she shared, reflecting on the chaotic situation.
Netanyahu has since stated that Israel believes 21 of the 59 remaining hostages are still alive, although there are concerns about three others. An anonymous Israeli official noted that these hostages are presumed alive until proven otherwise.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group, has demanded transparency, urging officials to share any new information regarding the hostages.
The Hamas attacks resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the abduction of 251 people during their assault on southern Israel, where Elkana was seized from a music festival.
Israel’s military campaign has reportedly resulted in over 52,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly among women and children, though an Israeli official commented that such figures often do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Bohbot’s concern extends beyond the status of her son. The freeze on humanitarian aid to Gaza raises questions about the welfare of the hostages. “If this means my son isn’t getting food, then this is a problem,” she said. Many people in Gaza rely on humanitarian assistance for survival, and concerns about malnutrition are growing as aid requests go unmet.
As Hamas released a few videos showing Elkana under duress, capturing his pleas for help, Bohbot feels both relieved and terrified. The government’s recent decision to intensify military operations in Gaza only heightens her anxiety regarding her son’s safety.
Doubts linger, especially when considering the future of humanitarian aid. The Israeli government has halted aid distribution since March, prompting serious warnings from various organizations about the potential consequences, including severe hunger.
Bohbot’s family continues to hope for a resolution. They keep the shop Elkana dreamed of opening — a gourmet ice cream stall in Tel Aviv — and anticipate his return. The family is set to celebrate Raem’s fifth birthday soon, his second without his father. As Raem expresses his wishes for his father’s return, Bohbot comforts her son, telling him, “Your daddy is coming home, just wait a little bit longer.”
“I just want to believe that he’s holding on and that he’s okay for now,” she said. As President Trump prepares for a visit to the region next week, Bohbot hopes for breakthroughs in negotiations, clinging to hope amid the uncertainty.
