The families of the Israeli captives and missing persons have called to world leaders to, "Act now to stop this torture – allow them to receive medication and medical care."
At a press conference held Saturday evening at the headquarters of the families of the hostages and missing persons, family representatives demanded that the world intervene for the immediate transfer of life-saving medications: "Our loved ones are undergoing prolonged torture and need life-saving medications. Without the medications, they will not survive. Time is running out."
Prof. Hagay Levine, who is assisting the families in their contacts with the Red Cross, said: "All the medications you see here on the table are life-saving medications that the Israeli captives urgently need, not only to prevent their death but to prevent inhuman suffering. We met with Red Cross representatives yesterday, and they too admitted they have never witnessed such an event of this magnitude and cruelty. I ask world leaders, leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other world leaders to intervene and raise their voice – act now to stop this torture."
Lee Dan, whose four family members have been abducted, tearfully said: "My aunt, 80 years old, suffers from dementia and is without her hearing aids. Noya, her granddaughter, is a child with autism and is very sensitive to noise and crowded spaces. Please bring in medications today."
Oshrat Hershkovitz, whose uncle disappeared along with his wife and mother, said: "Civilians should not be part of this war. To hold children and the ill hostage is a crime against humanity. I call on you to act immediately to provide them with medicine and bring them home as soon as possible."
Yifat Ziller, whose cousin Shiri was abducted from her home with her two children, Kfir (9mo) and Ariel (4y), said: "All of you saw the photos of Shiri holding her children. Kfir is nine months old, I don't know if he is receiving his formula. We gave birth two months apart and every night when I rock my seven-month-old baby to sleep, I think of Kfir."
Tom Louk said: "I am the cousin of Shani Louk; she was abducted from the Nova party into Gaza. She was documented in a terrible video where she is transported naked in a Hamas truck. We have information that she is alive but suffering from a severe head injury."
Ronen Tzur responded to the words of the Head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, and said: "If the words of the Head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, are correct that the Israeli government will not negotiate during wartime, it means that the Israeli government has chosen a strategy of neglecting the hostages and the missing. We expect immediate clarification.”
On Friday evening, the IDF confirmed that it had located the bodies of several missing Israelis during raids it conducted in the territory of Gaza. Earlier, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that the IDF conducted raids in the territory of Gaza in an effort to eliminate the threat of terrorists and weapons in the area and locate hostages.
According to the statement, IDF soldiers searched and collected evidence that would assist in the effort to locate hostages.