Parents of Israeli hostages excluded from Gaza deal 'can't keep waiting'

The fathers of two Israeli hostages excluded from the list of captives to be freed during the ongoing first phase of the Gaza truce expressed outrage on Sunday, demanding the swift return of their loved ones.

"We want the agreement to continue and for them to bring the children back as quickly as possible -- and all at once," said 79-year-old Dani Miran, protesting outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem.

Miran's son, Omri, father to two young daughters, has been held hostage in Gaza since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel.

The 42-day ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, stipulates the release of 33 hostages in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Since the truce began, Hamas has freed seven Israeli women in exchange for nearly 300 Palestinian prisoners.

However, 87 hostages taken on October 7 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

Hamas has previously claimed that additional hostages have died, but the Israeli military has not verified these statements.

The fate of those hostages who are not on the current release list is uncertain and dependent on future negotiations for extending the truce.

"We can't keep waiting week after week to find out who will be released," said Miran, who has become a familiar figure at rallies demanding hostage release.

He said his 47-year-old son was excluded from the initial list as he does not meet the criteria of being over 50, sick or injured.

"I'm convinced my son will return alive and well. But how will this happen?" said the father, who has vowed to shave his long beard only when his son is freed.

- 'Anger' -
 

"The hardest thing to see" for Miran is his grandchildren who "shout 'daddy, daddy,' every day. They miss him," he said.

On Sunday, he protested outside Netanyahu's office urging Israelis to join him, holding a sign that read: "I will not give up until my son and the other hostages are back home."

Miran was accompanied by Chaim Hayman, whose daughter Inbar died in captivity and whose body still remains in Gaza.

She was taken from the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack, and died in captivity according to Israeli authorities.

Hayman, 55, has campaigned tirelessly for the return of her body.

"My daughter is in captivity. She is a woman first and then a deceased person. She should have been prioritised on the list of women," Hayman said.

"Since October 7, I've been filled with sadness. But now, I'm consumed by anger because the Israeli government didn't include Inbar in the humanitarian phase," he added, referring to the ongoing first stage of the ceasefire.

Both fathers shared their criticism of the Israeli government, accusing it of failing to bring back their loved ones.

A placard next to Hayman read: "Inbar was abandoned on October 7, 2023, and is still abandoned in 2025."

"I came to protest against this government," Hayman said.

But despite his frustration, he said: "I want to remain optimistic."

"Inbar must be returned -- and so must the others."

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