Ahead of Trump-Netanyahu Meeting, Families Plead for Action to Bring Hostages Home
Washington DC [US], February 5: Families of Israeli hostages gathered near the White House on Tuesday, calling for the immediate release of their loved ones ahead of a high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The emotional demonstration saw a large crowd demanding action, with chants of “Bring them home, now!” echoing through the streets.
One of the attendees, a woman who was herself a hostage, recounted her harrowing experience of captivity under Hamas.
“I was kidnapped from my home on October 7 and held captive for 55 days. I endured fear, hunger, and torment,” she said.
She added that she was one of the lucky ones who was freed in the first hostage deal, but her partner, Matan, is still in captivity.
“Matan is still there. Seventy-nine hostages are still there. I have lived through that pain. I know what they are going through right now,” she said.
A Direct Plea to President Trump
The woman made an urgent appeal to President Trump, urging him to use his influence to finalize a deal for their release.
“President Trump, I know you don’t walk away. I know you don’t stop until the job is done. And that’s why I’m begging you. Not as a politician, but as someone who has already shown the world what true leadership looks like. Please don’t stop now. If this deal falls apart, the hostages will die,” she pleaded.
She further urged Trump to not let the hostages be forgotten, saying:
“You are the only one who can stop it from happening. Please, President Trump, don’t let them be forgotten. Don’t let Matan die in the dark. You have already done the impossible. Now I’m begging you to finish what you started. Bring them all home, now!”
Netanyahu’s Office Prepares for High-Level Talks
Ahead of his critical meeting with President Trump, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s office posted an image on X showing him preparing for the discussions.
Earlier, Netanyahu outlined the key agenda for his Washington visit, stating:
“In this meeting, we’ll deal with important issues, critical issues facing Israel and our region: victory over Hamas, achieving the release of all our hostages, and dealing with the Iranian terror axis in all its components—an axis that threatens the peace of Israel, the Middle East, and the entire world.”
Emphasizing the impact of Israel’s military actions, he added:
“The decisions we made in the war have already changed the face of the Middle East. Our decisions and the courage of our soldiers have redrawn the map. But I believe that working closely with President Trump, we can redraw it even further and for the better.”
As the US and Israel prepare for high-level talks, the hostage families’ voices grow louder, hoping their pleas for action will be heard at the highest levels.