Amid new photos, families of Israel hostage soldiers plead for deal

Tel Aviv (AFP) – The families of five Israeli women soldiers held hostage in Gaza since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Tuesday pleaded with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make an accord for their release before he goes to Washington next week.

Facing mounting international and domestic criticism, Netanyahu is set to speak to a joint meeting of the US Congress on July 24 and to meet President Joe Biden. The families released new pictures of the detainees to increase pressure on Netanyahu.

"Prime Minister, we are begging, we are asking you, please make the deal happen. It can be before the Congress, it can be during the Congress while you're giving your speech, but the deal must happen now," said Sasha Ariev, the 24-year-old sister of 19-year-old hostage Karina Ariev.

"First a deal, and only then you can fly. Every day is critical for our daughters and all the hostages. We need you here," added Shira Elbag, the mother of Liri Elbag.

The families spoke at one of an increasing number of events they organise to keep the hostages in the Israeli public spotlight.

Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas, 116 of whom are still in Gaza including 42 the Israeli military says are dead. Many are soldiers taken by the militants when they crossed into southern Israel.

Qatar and Egypt have been leading US-backed mediation efforts for several months in a bid to secure a ceasefire and a release of some hostages in return for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

But Hamas has accused Netanyahu of seeking to torpedo a ceasefire deal with his vows to destroy Hamas amid Israel's fierce military onslaught in Gaza.

On Sunday, a day after a massive Israeli strike aiming to kill Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, a senior Hamas leader told AFP that the group was withdrawing from the ceasefire talks but could return if Israel's attitude changed.

Netanyahu said on Tuesday, however, that he wanted to "increase pressure" on Hamas.

The families of the five hostages, part of the Hostages Families Forum, authorised the release of two undated photos of the five women in detention. The images appear to be of the soldiers in the first days of their detention. Some have bruises and cuts.

"Nine months have passed since my Daniela and the other girls have been held in these conditions, the conditions that can be seen in the photos we published," said Orly Gilboa, the mother of Daniela Gilboa.

"This is my daughter. Look into her eyes, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister. Meet with us immediately so we can make her voice heard," said Ayelet Levy, mother of Naama Levy, who appeared to be held separately from the other four. The picture of Levy showed her with one eye closed up and bruised.

"We are waiting for a face-to-face meeting with you to ensure that the negotiations are moving towards a signed deal that will bring Naama and all the hostages back," said the senior Levy.