The remaining hostages in Hamas captivity can only be saved if US President Donald Trump applies pressure on all parties involved to end the war, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wrote Hebrew University Prof. Jonathan Dekel-Chen.
Dekel-Chen is the father of former hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was released by Hamas in mid-February as part of a US-brokered hostage deal.
In his article for the US News & World Report last week, Dekel-Chen wrote that his son was only released due to pressure from the US administration. He also accused the Israeli government of endangering and “willing to sacrifice” the remaining 58 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.
He said the government under Netanyahu’s leadership has gone against Israel’s national interests and that the prime minister’s behavior excludes the country from Iran’s nuclear talks.
Additionally, Dekel-Chen described the release of Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, as a move that “made the Israeli government extremely uncomfortable.”
Citing the return of his son from Hamas captivity, he noted his wish for the families of the remaining hostages “to experience the same peace and closure.”
Reflecting on his son's captivity
Dekel-Chen spoke with The Jerusalem Post in early March about his son and his captivity for nearly 500 days.
“It’s like having a 36-year-old son be born again,” he said, on watching Sagui standing on his own two feet as he was transferred from Hamas to the Red Cross.
However, he first noted his abandonment by the Israeli government.