Hezbollah pager and walkie-talkie attack was 'torment upon torture', says father of Hamas-held hostage – Firstpost

The impact of the bomb attacks on Hezbollah fighters, allegedly orchestrated by Israel, was felt not only by the population of Beirut, but also by the families of the hostages held by Hamas.

The father of an American hostage, whose son Edan Alexander is being held in Gaza, said CNN“This pager, this impossible mission, is like treating suffering with more suffering,” adding that “this vicious cycle of violence must end.”

Earlier this week, Israel reportedly launched several attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah by detonating its pagers and walkie-talkies, killing several terrorists and people in Lebanon. On Friday, the country also carried out an airstrike in Beirut that killed several more Hezbollah fighters and two of its top commanders.

“We cannot expect anything from Prime Minister Netanyahu”

On the battlefield in Gaza, the families of hostages still held by Hamas are waiting for an agreement between the warring parties. But now that the war is almost a year old, their frustration is palpable.

Ronen Neutra, the father of one hostage, said: “And as for Prime Minister Netanyahu? I'm afraid I did not expect much from him.”

He added: “What he says from Israel to the American public and what he says in Israel have no connection.”

“All Israelis are tired of listening to Prime Minister Netanyahu because there is an obvious discrepancy between what he says about his commitment to bringing the hostages home and his actions,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of another American hostage.

These families were in Washington this week to meet with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to discuss the hostage deal.

What about the hostage deal?

Israeli media reported on Thursday that Israel had proposed a new agreement that would see the release of Gaza hostages in exchange for safe passage for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and a cessation of fighting.

Public broadcaster Can reported that the proposal also included the release of Palestinian prisoners and a new government system in the Gaza Strip, but no details were given.

The Times of Israel An Israeli official confirmed that hostage-taker Gal Hirsch “presented the plan to the Americans, who were expected to pass it on to unnamed Arab officials.”

With contributions from agencies