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Hamas hostage families press Congress before Netanyahu’s address

By
Diana Glebova
Published July 23, 2024, 1:04 p.m. ET

The families of eight American hostages still being held by Hamas pressed Congress on Tuesday to tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize bringing more hostages home above all else.

Netanyahu, who arrived to Washington on Monday, is expected to address Congress in a join session on Wednesday as Democrats – including President Biden – have urged Israel to reach a ceasefire with the terror group Hamas.

Bipartisan roundtable discussion with displayed pictures of American hostages, hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee
The families of eight American hostages still being held by Hamas pressed Congress on Tuesday. Anadolu via Getty Images
Aviva Siegel, former hostage, sitting at a roundtable discussion during a House Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.
Aviva Siegel was held hostage by Hamas for 51 days. AFP via Getty Images

Aviva Siegel was held hostage by Hamas for 51 days. She told the roundtable being held by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul that her husband Keith is still a hostage, that she doesn’t know where he is, and that a lot of hostages are being held underground.

“I was not allowed to stand or walk or move,” Siegel said, describing that hostage girls were “touched” and forced to shower with the door open.

Daniel Nuetra, the brother of 22-year-old hostage Omer Nuetra, said the families met with Netanyahu on Monday, but the “urgency” of the hostage situation “did not seem to resonate with him.”

Ruby Chen discussing with Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and Representative Gregory Meeks at a House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting
The families of eight American hostages still being held by Hamas pressed Congress on Tuesday. AFP via Getty Images
Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of American hostage Omer Neutra, at a press conference regarding American hostages in Gaza
The families of eight American hostages still being held by Hamas pressed Congress on Tuesday. William Farrington

The families of the US hostages – who were abducted in Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on Oct. 7 – said Netanyahu should reach a “deal” to allow the hostages to return home.

Rachel Goldberg speaking into a microphone at a Bipartisan roundtable discussion of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington D.C.
Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Anadolu via Getty Images
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, speaking during a Bipartisan roundtable discussion at the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen. Anadolu via Getty Images

Netanyahu’s office told family members Tuesday that Israel could be near to reaching a hostage release deal with Hamas. Egypt and Qatar have been working to mediate Biden-approved ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas for months, but no agreement has been reached.

Neither Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were there to greet the prime minister when he arrived in the nation’s capital on Monday. Harris – who is now running as the presumptive Democratic nominee after Biden suspended his campaign – is expected to meet with Netanyahu this week, but will miss his Congressional address.

Netanyahu met with families of hostages on Monday, who asked him to work to release their family members.
Netanyahu met with families of hostages on Monday, who asked him to work to release their family members. israelipm/X
A person walks past posters of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 22, 2024.
A person walks past posters of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 22, 2024. REUTERS

Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress has been met with animosity from some Congressional Democrats.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called the prime minister a “war criminal” and said he would not attend the join session of Congress speech.