Father of Zionist Captive Calls on Trump to Press Netanyahu to Halt Gaza Offensive

Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is presumed to be among the hostages held by Hamas, implored for intervention, stating, “Please compel Netanyahu to conclude the conflict. This is the sole path for me to see my son alive,” according to a report by the Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

The comments follow reports that Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have endangered the lives of at least 54 hostages held by Palestinian resistance groups, resulting in the deaths of 20 people.

According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, throughout the 601-day duration of the Gaza conflict that began in early October 2023, Israeli military actions, including airstrikes, led to the deaths of captives both directly and indirectly, owing to military operations near the areas where these individuals were held.

Haaretz reported that while many military strikes have been avoided due to the risk posed to nearby captives, the Israeli forces do allow operations within a range of several hundred meters.

Reports indicate that resistance factions in the Gaza Strip are currently detaining 58 individuals. Among these captives are 57 who were initially captured by Hamas-affiliated fighters during the events of October 7, 2023.

The Israeli military has reported the discovery of at least 35 deceased individuals. Of these, 20 are believed to still be alive.

Hamas has released a total of 30 captives as part of a recent ceasefire agreement which took place between January and March. The released individuals include 20 Israeli settlers, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals. Alongside the release, Hamas also returned the bodies of eight captives who lost their lives amid the widespread Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Additionally, an earlier release this month saw the return of one more captive, identified as Alexander.

The Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement released 105 Israeli settlers during a weeklong truce in late November 2023, following the release of four captives earlier in the conflict.

In return, Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees, along with individuals from Gaza held during the continuing conflict in the embattled region.

Israeli forces have successfully located eight captives alive, while also recovering the remains of 41 individuals. Among those found deceased are three individuals mistakenly killed by Israeli military action, alongside the body of a soldier who lost his life in 2014.

The remains of Israeli Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014, continue to be held by Hamas and are included among the 58 captives.