(Scypre.com) – While the death toll in Israel surpassed 700 on Monday due to the recent terrorist attack along the border with Gaza carried out by Palestinian terrorists, many Israeli families were desperately seeking their missing loved ones.
They suspected that Hamas, the terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, was holding their relatives, including mothers, fathers, children, and cousins, based on social media images and videos posted by the group. Despite their concerns, they had received no information from Israeli authorities or international organizations regarding their family members’ whereabouts. These families appealed for help from the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and other groups to gain information about their fate.
Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht informed Fox News Digital that he couldn’t provide an exact count of kidnapped or hostage Israelis in the Palestinian enclave but stated that there were “dozens” based on the available information. Israeli media reported varying estimates, ranging from 70 to 100 individuals.
One distraught family shared their harrowing experience. They had seen video footage of their daughters, ex-husband, his partner, and her son being held captive by Hamas terrorists at their home on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The father had been shot in the leg and was severely injured. The family was struggling with the lack of official communication, relying only on the images they found. They had shared the videos with the police and sought assistance from the school, but had little success in obtaining more information.
The anguish was compounded by photographs of the daughters in Gaza, adorned in Muslim prayer-appropriate attire, further fueling fears for their safety. The family believed their loved ones were in grave danger and appealed for their safe return. They emphasized that the situation was beyond comprehension, leaving them desperate for any shred of information about their family.
In another account, a family shared their distress as they believed their relatives had been taken to Gaza. They had received a short video showing one family member with two children surrounded by Hamas terrorists, but they remained uncertain about the fate of others, particularly an individual with Parkinson’s Disease who urgently needed medication. They expressed deep concern for the children’s well-being, stressing the dire circumstances they faced.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, the families decried the inhumane actions of Hamas and expressed disbelief that such an ordeal could unfold in Israel. Despite the plethora of questions and heartache, they stood united in support of the Israeli army and its valiant soldiers.
They urged Hamas to ensure the safety and well-being of those in their custody, likening the situation to caring for prisoners. Additionally, they directed a message to those in Europe and the U.S., cautioning them about the rise of radical movements and the potential for facing similar distressing situations.