Following 498 harrowing days held captive in Gaza, Iair Horn pens a desperate plea for the remaining hostages, including his ailing brother. Released on Saturday and currently recovering in Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, Horn's spirit remains tethered to the enclave where his brother and others are still held by Hamas. He dedicates his remaining strength to advocating for their swift return.
The recent release of three hostages and the simultaneous return of over 300 prisoners under a cease-fire agreement offers a glimmer of hope, yet is overshadowed by profound tragedy. Four individuals from Horn's kibbutz, including two young children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, are being returned – not alive, but in coffins. Adding to the heartbreak, Hamas has withheld the body of the children's mother, Shiri Bibas, substituting an unidentified body in her place, leaving her fate agonizingly unknown.
The October 7, 2023 attack shattered the peace of Kibbutz Nir Oz, a community largely comprised of Argentinian immigrants who had built new lives in Israel. Horn and his brother Eitan, visiting for the weekend, became victims of the brutal assault that decimated their community, leaving many dead or kidnapped.
Horn recounts the ordeal of his captivity, detailing the physical and psychological torment endured at the hands of Hamas. He describes the constant fear, starvation, interrogations, and abuse, surviving by clinging to the hope of each new day. He reveals the dire health conditions of the remaining hostages, many suffering from illnesses and lacking necessary medical attention. His brother Eitan, in particular, battles severe infections and fevers, his life hanging precariously in the balance.
Expressing profound gratitude to former President Trump for securing his release, Horn credits him with decisive action and upholding the sanctity of human life. He implores the former President to continue leveraging his influence to secure the release of the remaining hostages. Horn's plea underscores the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the deteriorating health of those still captive and the need for immediate action.
Horn's message is a poignant reminder of the human cost of this conflict. He calls for global attention and action, urging the world to recognize the imminent danger faced by the hostages and to demand their immediate return. His final words are a testament to his unwavering dedication to his brother and the other captives: a promise to fight tirelessly for their freedom and a declaration that none are truly free until all are home.
