Hamas Hostages’ Families Have Had Enough and Want Answers Now: ‘Our Patience Is Up’

The families of around 224 hostages believed to be taken by Hamas said they are demanding answers about their loved ones during a press conference in Tel Aviv on Thursday.

The families participated in two marches, with many chanting “Free them now,” in English, the Times of Israel reported.

The hostages were taken during Hamas' Oct. 7 surprise attack. Israel declared war on the Palestinian militant group the next day.

Meirav Leshem-Gonen told the outlet that her 23-year-old daughter was taken hostage at the  Supernova Sukkot Festival near the Gaza Strip.

"We’ve been very, very patient. But that’s it. Our patience is up. Our patience has run out,” Leshem-Gonen said, per the newspaper.

She said she has not received any updates on her daughter.

"They’ve been there for 20 days," Leshem-Gonen said. "Twenty days in which we’ve had no idea how they’re doing, how they’re being treated, if they’re okay, if they’re breathing. Twenty days. Can you imagine? Because we’re living it day after day, all of us."

Eyal Eshel said his daughter worked for the Israel Defense Forces communications team. On the day of the attack by Hamas, her base was breached, and she has been missing ever since. He called on the Israeli government to take action.

"I’m demanding one thing — get up from your chairs, try to put yourselves in my place, and take responsibility. Don’t turn your back on me. All of us are out of patience,” Eshel said.

Orit Meir, the mother of 21-year-old Almog Meir Jan, said her son was also kidnapped from the music festival. She shared a message for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Bibi, now is the time to make a deal and return all the hostages to Israel," Meir said. "I am begging you. Try and imagine that it was your son who was kidnapped into Gaza.”

In addition to pressure from the hostages' families, other nations are urging the Israeli government to delay a ground invasion in order to give diplomats more time to arrange for the hostages' release, a senior diplomatic official told the Times of Israel.