In a recent development, the family of Omri Miran, a 46-year-old Hungarian Israeli citizen abducted by Hamas on 7 October 2023, has received a sign of life from him. A recently released hostage informed Miran’s brothers, Boaz and Nadav, that he had been held with Omri until July 2024, during which time Omri appeared to be in good physical condition. However, they acknowledge that his situation may have deteriorated in the intervening months.
A Glimmer of Hope
Still, the sign of life the family has received from Omri may be a glimmer of hope that they can grasp onto, that they can see their loved one alive again and welcome him back into the family
Omri Miran was taken captive from Kibbutz Nahal Oz by terrorists who drove him across the border in his own car. His wife, Lishay Miran, was left behind with their two daughters, two-year-old Roni and six-month-old Alma. Omri’s mother is Hungarian, which granted him Hungarian citizenship. Omri could be released in the second phase of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which started on 19 January.
The Ceasefire on the Brink of Collapse
However, the fragile ceasefire is now on the verge of collapse after Hamas suspended the handover of more hostages ‘until further notice’. Under the terms of the truce, Hamas has agreed to release three more Israeli hostages on Saturday. Hamas has accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the suspension of hostilities, including allowing necessary supplies into Gaza.
However, even the United Nations denied the terror group’s accusations. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Lærke told a press conference in Geneva that since the truce came into effect on 19 January, ‘we have been able to scale up humanitarian operations significantly with food, medical and shelter supplies and other aid during the ceasefire period.’ Although the security checks on trucks, that is, the clearance of cargoes declared as dual-use does take longer for the Israeli authorities.
US President Donald Trump has also issued an ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the release of all remaining hostages by noon on Saturday, 15 February. Failing this, Trump warned that the ceasefire would be cancelled, and ‘all bets are off and let hell break out.’ Before the suspension of hostilities, Donald Trump made a similar threat that ‘all hell will break loose’ if Hamas did not agree on a ceasefire before his inauguration. The threat is believed to have been instrumental in the parties reaching a deal after more than a year of failed negotiations.
As a response to Hamas’s announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed a similar stance to Trump’s, stating that if Hamas does not return the hostages by the specified time, ‘the ceasefire will end, and the IDF will resume intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated.’
Ongoing negotiations, facilitated by mediators from Egypt and Qatar, aim to address these disputes and ensure the continuation of the truce. Hamas has urged an end to threats from Israeli and US officials.
Ceasefire Seems to Proceed
Negotiations and pressure seem to be successful, as Hamas has indicated its willingness to proceed with the ceasefire and is set to release three more hostages on Saturday. Israel has said that Hamas’ return to the truce is enough for them to stick to it and do not renew fighting. However, the situation remains delicate, with both sides expressing commitment to the ceasefire while preparing for potential escalations if agreements are not respected.
Israel has also been pushing for the expedited release of the living hostages, especially those of weak health conditions, since last Saturday’s release of Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami in emaciated conditions. The aghast state of the three men has shocked Israeli society and the world, with most comparing the images of the plight of the hostages to the horrors of the Holocaust.
There are 17 Israeli hostages still supposed to be set free in the first phase, which will bring the total number of captives released at this stage to 33. Parties have not yet started negotiations on the second phase.
Hamas kidnapped 251 people in a horrific terrorist attack on 7 October 2023. When the ceasefire went into effect, 94 people were still in the terror organization’s custody, out of whom 60 people are believed to be alive; and all of them could be released during the current three-phase stand-off.
Related articles:
