The families of seven Israel hostages begged President-elect Donald Trump to put his foot down and get their loved ones released – even if it means getting tough with US allies.
Trump, set to return to office Jan. 20, should exert pressure on countries in the Middle East such as Qatar to end the hostages’ lengthy imprisonments, the families said in a joint letter dated Tuesday.
“We urge you to call your colleague, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, force him to come to the table TODAY and demand an end to these games,” the letter stated.
“We need a simple American deal with Hamas left in its shadow: Hamas must immediately announce the release of all the living and dead hostages without any conditions and surrender or all Hamas leaders be immediately deported from the country and will no longer be safe anywhere in the world,” the family members added.
“This is how the war with a terrorist organization in Gaza should end. This is how your term in the White House should begin.”
The letter was sent a day after it was confirmed the day that Israeli-US soldier Omer Neutra, 21, was killed by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel.
It was initially believed he had been kidnapped and taken hostage.
An emotional memorial was held Tuesday for the Plainview, Long Island resident who had been serving as an Israel Defense Forces tank commander.
Meanwhile, Hamas released a disturbing video of hostage Edan Alexander on Nov. 30, indicating the 21-year Tenafly, New Jersey resident was still alive and providing his parents a glimmer of hope he will be released.
There are some 100 hostages in Gaza, including six Americans.
Signatories of the letter to Trump include relatives of loved ones believed still alive while others were killed in captivity:
- Hoshea Haggai, brother of Gadi Haggai, a dual Israeli-American citizen killed in captivity;
- Doris Liber, a Queens native and mother of Guy Iluz, her only child, kidnapped from the NOVA festival and murdered in captivity;
- Ziv Abud — a NOVA festival massacre survivor and spouse of Eliya Cohen, kidnapped at the festival;
- Talia and Liran Berman, mother and brother of twins Ziv and Gali Berman, kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza;
- Simona and Dor Steinbrecher, mother and brother of Doron Steinbrecher, kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza;
- Amanda Damari, mother of Emily Damari, a dual Israeli-British citizen kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar-Aza; and
- Lishay Lavi, wife of Omri Miran, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
The family members said, “You promised to restore order in the simplest and most obvious way – and make America great again. Now, please do the same for us.“
“Symbolically, this year Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah fall on the same day. We look forward to the miracle of Christmas and the miracle of Hanukkah for us and implore you to ensure we see light for our loved ones.”
The Post reached out to Trump for comment.
He previously warned on social media there would be “all hell to pay” if all of the hostages aren’t freed by his inauguration next month.
