Gaza, spokesperson for hostage families: ‘There is hope, but concern remains’

Rome, 9 October (LaPresse) – “The news of the agreement has been greeted with great hope by families who will finally be able to embrace their loved ones again, and with relief by those who will at least be able to give a dignified burial to the hostages killed by Hamas. However, there is also some concern, because it will probably be necessary to wait until Saturday night or Sunday. We fear for the health of the hostages, who are often treated as war trophies by Hamas.‘ This was stated to LaPresse by Benedetto Sacerdoti, Italian spokesperson for the Forum of Hostage Families, commenting on the agreement reached in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. ’We have seen images of the hostages released in February and March,‘ he explains, ’and we have noticed a severe state of malnutrition. We know that those who were released during that period suffered severe trauma related to their captivity, in addition to malnutrition. They were locked up in tunnels, often in the dark and chained, unable to move or stand up, suffering beatings and violence. We also know of the case of Alon Ohel, a young and accomplished pianist who has probably lost sight in one eye: we deduced this from one of the latest videos released by Hamas, in which it is noticeable that his eye does not move naturally. There is great concern.”