Hagar Brodutch, who was kidnapped by Hamas along with her three children, endured another terrifying night yesterday during the Iranian missile attack.
This morning, she said she is hoping for a swift end to war.
“We had a horrible evening and night. I just wish the war would be over already. We can’t stand it anymore,” Brodutch said via WhatsApp.
She and her children were kidnapped from kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7 and held captive for 51 days in Gaza.
While in captivity, Brodutch also cared for 4-year-old American Abigail Eden, whose parents were killed by Hamas. Brodutch and Abigail were freed in a prisoner exchange on Nov. 26. More than 100 people still remain in captivity.
Daniel Aloni, a former hostage who was freed with her 5-year-old daughter, Emilia, on Nov. 24 said she worries the rising tensions with Iran could divert attention from the hostages in Gaza.
“I don’t know how Israel will choose to respond to the massive attack carried out yesterday by Iran,” Aloni said. “However, I hope we do not get dragged into an escalation in the region, as a regional war would divert attention from the 133 hostages still held by Hamas under dire conditions, injured or ill, in Gaza.”
The Hostage Family Forum, a group that represents the families of hostages, said in a statement today that amid the stress and anxiety of last night’s attack, the focus should still be on the remaining hostages who have been held for more than 190 days.
“The fears and emotions we all felt pale in comparison to the terror, dread, despair, loneliness, cold, physical and mental torment the 133 hostages held by Hamas have endured for 190 days and nights,” the forum said in the statement. “We reiterate our calls for the international community to do everything possible to secure the release of all 133 hostages before more innocent lives are tragically lost.”
