Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza issued a public appeal Friday to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene to stop the war in Gaza and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting hostages’ lives at risk for political gain.
Gathered outside the Kaplan Gate of the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, the families delivered a statement in which Yifat Kalderon, cousin of former hostage Ofer Kalderon, directly addressed President Trump.
“Netanyahu is manipulating the situation and has managed to convince you, Mr. President, that destroying Hamas is more important than rescuing the hostages,” she said. “But that is a lie. Israel’s national and security interest is first and foremost to bring the hostages home—those who are alive for rehabilitation, and those who are not for a proper burial.”