Hamas is inactive holding 59 hostages, including 7 Germans. Families Don't Lose Hope

Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages in the Gaza Strip, including 7 Israeli Germans. 5 of them could inactive be alive. Their relatives came to Berlin to pay attention to the kidnapped.


– We inactive hope – says Shachar Ohel in a calm voice on the 642nd day, which passes from 7 October 2023. That day his nephew Alon Ohel was badly wounded, captured and abducted by Hamas terrorists during Supernova's music festival in the south of Israel. For 642 days the thoughts and feelings of the household have revolved around the question of whether a 24-year-old Alon Ohel inactive lives and how he can be freed.

Over 2 years in captivity

The hostages, who were released 5 months ago by Hamas and were imprisoned with Alon, told Shachar Ohel about the destiny of his nephew.

– They were together all along. From them, we know that Alon is in very bad shape. He lost his right eye. Left is besides at risk. He's not getting anything to eat. He's starving. She is in critical condition," says Shachar Ohel in an interview with DW. We hope he lives. Hamas wants him alive. Otherwise, they would have no advantage in negotiations with Israel.

Probably inactive alive.

Alon Ohel is 1 of the hostages kidnapped by the muslim Hamas organization during the attack on Israel. After respective rounds of negotiations 146 hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. 83 died in captivity.

Hamas hasn't delivered 35 bodies yet. 24 hostages are most likely inactive alive. Their immediate release is demanded by an organized group of relatives "Bring them Home".

Families and friends of the hostages came to Berlin, who, in addition to Israelis, besides have German citizenship. 5 German-Israeli hostages most likely inactive alive, 2 likely died.

Among another things, a group of relatives returned to German abroad Minister Johann Wadephul and president Frank-Walter Steinmeier for greater support. “We met with large sympathy and received many hugs,” says Liran Berman.

Two of his brothers are being held by Hamas. “But now it is time to take action and exert more pressure,” he adds. Liran Berman and another household members place all hopes in the negotiations on ceasefire between Israel, the US and Hamas.

Germany should commit

– We are in a crisis that we have never experienced before in our history. It is governments who request to find a solution and believe in diplomacy," says Efrat Machikawa in a conversation with DW. 5 of her relatives were held by Hamas for any time. 4 were released. The 5th was murdered. Along with another relatives of kidnap victims, he fights in Berlin to release German-Israeli hostages.

– This applies not only to those who sit straight at the negotiating table, but besides to another countries specified as Germany. You have relationships with people sitting at the table. That is why global intervention is so important.

Efrat Machikawa believes that all German should feel affected by it. Release of hostages is the first step towards improving the "terrible situation in the mediate East". As he says, appearing during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Germany, the slogans and symbols of the kidnappers, the terrorist organization Hamas, are painful. However, Germany is simply a democracy and freedom of speech.

– People should ask more questions and effort to gain knowledge. We don't want revenge. We are peaceful people," he stresses. Referring to the demonstration, Efrat Machikawa says: "It's frightening, but we stay hopeful.

Yellow piano as a symbol

Alon Ohel's parents placed a yellow piano in the centre of Tel Aviv in memory of their son, pianist and jazz lover. Anyone can play it and say hello to Alon. The yellow piano was transported to Berlin for a solidarity concert.

7 October 2023. Hamas attacked respective Israeli villages and Supernova music festival close the Gaza Strip, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, the Israeli army has since fought Hamas. According to various unverifiable data, between 50,000 and 80,000 people died in the Gaza Strip and a crucial part of it was destroyed. According to the United Nations assessment, the humanitarian situation of the population is disastrous.

Hamas is simply a militant, muslim Palestinian group. The European Union, the United States, Germany and another countries recognise it as a terrorist organisation. On July 10, Hamas announced his readiness to release 10 hostages as part of indirect negotiations with Israel.

Written by Bernd Riegert