Israelis held hostage (part 2)

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

Continuing

They're in Israel.

Oh good. I can't stop thinking about it all this evening. Especially the children. Do we know how many are still there or missing, sorry I think someone said earlier so I'll go back and check...

Hamas needs to release every single one. It is appalling that in some cases they have split families.

Sadly I can't see the two youngest being released tomorrow nor the 18 year olds - they will be classed as adults

Unless that list was only written after the list of today's hostages for release had been given to Israel then, sadly, I wouldn't be convinced that there aren't more children unaccounted for. There was a 17 year old released today (Mia Leimberg) who isn't on that list. So either Israel already knew she was on her way out or she was an extra, unreported, teenager.

I'm so glad to see a couple of much reported on elderly women released today. The London based son of the lady who was due in the UK for her 75th birthday this month has been working so hard to get to see his mum again. I know all the families have. I just kept seeing this one.

The footage of the baying mob intimidating the hostages as they were being taken to the Red Cross ambulances absolutely revolted me. You just know that some of the people who have been chanting antisemitic slogans on the tube and on marches would have loved to have been there. I can't help but think that the hostages must have thought they were being taken to be executed in front of a jeering crowd, until they saw the ambulances.

Given the horrible stories about what happened to other people's pets, it must have taken some guts for Mia Leimburg to prevent Hamas from killing her dog and then to keep her safe for weeks.

Today’s list has been given to the Israelis. Seems a bit more positive this morning. Some talk it could include men - I guess maybe some of the elderly men.

More positivity: https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-775616

Also good news if true Jake somebody Bidens spokesperson said last night that they didn't think the 8 or 9 US hostages were being used as leverage by Hamas and that they were expecting them to be released

Article below suggests elderly and sick hostages and then Hamas have said 'all for all" which means all the final hostages (that they can find) for all prisoners released. That includes held terrorist leaders and terrorists and murderers as well. Would the Israeli government allow that.

https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/hostage-talks-show-a-battered-hamas-is-far-from-down-and-out?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17012419030625&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2023%2Fnov%2F28%2Fhostage-talks-show-a-battered-hamas-is-far-from-down-and-out

I can’t imagine they would agree to that. I don’t think the Israeli men are coming home. There are two Israelis who have been held captive in Gaza for years now. I think Israel will get the children out if they can.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67165002.amp

I can very well see Israel not agreeing to that, unfortunately for the remaining hostages. Realistically, Hamas don't want these prisoners because they're sad and missing them - they want them to plan more terror attacks.

I don't think Israel will agree to that either. I always had a horrible feeling that the men, other than the elderly, would not be returned. Considering how the crowds have reacted to children and women being returned, I don't hold out much hope.

There will be immense pressure on the Israelis from within and without. And it’s a negotiation, they won’t agree to all out but they doesn’t mean Hamas don’t have other demands they may agree to. It’s so difficult with the media now as so much is being spun. The Israeli right are desperate for the exchanges to stop.

Has there been any mention why on earth Hamas have kept the baby? The 10 month old must have been the hardest hostage to look after by a long way for nappies, carrying him around, feeding. It seems nonsensical that they have kept hold of him. It's an appalling tragedy for that child and no matter where you stand on this issue no baby should have had such an awful early life experience at all.

I do think there stands a chance of more hostages being released - Hamas have stated that they want the ceasefire to continue and the only way they can guarantee that is by releasing hostages. They will be calculating the usefulness of this ceasefire versus the usefulness of the hostages.

Israel has recieved a list of the hostages that will be released today
They normally don't verify who they are until they are back in Israel but we may get some updates from family members once they have been notified by the PM's office

Tass reports that additional Russian hostages are expected to be released today in what Hamas has described as a sign of ‘gratitude’ to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin for the position he has taken on the conflict in Gaza.

Hmmm

Sounds like they found these guys who were missing

This situation is getting so desperate now and I wonder how many people will never be returned at all?

I have been thinking about a family I watched in the very early days where the mum was interviewed in a terrible state and told of her just turned 18 year old daughter Mayaan was murdered by Hamas in their home in front of them all. 2 younger dc I think 9 and 11 and they have a 15yr old daughter too who was away in another part of Israel. Hamas took the dad away who was covered in his daughter’s blood and I couldn’t remember his name so searched for it again and eventually found it. His name is Tsachi Idan (49) and I really hope his family get him home.

Does anyone know if Mia Schen has been released yet? She was on video with injuries and was clearly being told what to say. I think she’s 21.

This whole situation has affected me more than I ever thought possible and I’m going through lots in my life right now but it makes me stop and think no matter what problems I’ve got I am safe and that’s something I’ve always taken for granted.

I mentioned this point on the other thread but I thought I should mention it here too

Unfortunately the phrase 'Allahu akbar' has been hijacked by some bad people to justify the actions they carry out, as a muslim it's very upsetting to see this
All it means is God is great and it's a phrase said in all of our 5 daily prayers.
It is also used at times for celebration or happiness
I won't say much else on here because I fear I will be piled into or then immediately directed to the other thread but some of what you see is a cultural form of celebration. If you ask someone who lives there then they will tell you this.
Again I don't know the further details or how verified they are that some have posted as I get most of my information from MSM but this is just going by what I have seen

@Parkingt111 so they weren't a baying mob and Hamas didn't have to change the handover several times due to the behaviour of the crowds around child hostages?
It was all an expression of joy?

@Zoflorabore unfortunately I don't believe she has been released

This is the updated list with a bit of information and pictures of the hostages released so far

https://news.sky.com/story/who-are-the-first-61-israeli-hostages-released-by-hamas-13015007

@Stomacharmeleon I said I was going by what I saw on MSM and that wasn't mentioned on there
I'm also not saying that I know the intention of everyone in the crowd
I'm simply pointing out that this is similar to a form of celebration that is cultural in that area
If you disagree with it then that's fine
And also pointing out the meaning of the word Allahu akbar and that it is not a sinister word but unfortunately hijacked by some people to use it as such

@Parkingt111 The association for the hostages will automatically have been negative following how it was used on October 7th, and will cause fear and terror for them, regardless of the intentions of the crowd. It is sickening and deeply upsetting that this part of your prayers has been hijacked and used in this twisted way by terrorists, it is such a desecration.

@Parkingt111 I can concur re Allahu Akbar. I work and live in an area that has a large Muslim population and have heard 'Allahu Akbar' as a response 'As-salamu alaykum' - many of my friends are Muslim and it's a term that has a different meaning to them and they agree it has been appropriated.

I really hope the ceasefire holds and every hostage is returned. Obviously this is for a time much further in the future and the hostages do not owe anyone anything...but I truly hope their experience and story isn't unheard, supressed or forgotten for political reasons. They deserve acknowledgement and their identity shouldn't just be as 'hostage from October 7th' but as people with a story in their own right.

@EllaDisenchanted thank you for your kind message and yes that is also true that regardless they will be scared