Relatives of 94 Israeli and international hostages still held by Hamas said the EU has not used its influence and resources to bring the hostages home.
The EU “must put forth its power and be vocal about bringing every single hostage back,” said Gilad Korngold, father of Tal Shoham at a January 14 press conference in Brussels.
This would be “the first domino to create a new, non-violent regional order”, added the relative.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas seized 251 Israeli and international hostages, of whom 94 still remain unaccounted for. Israel believed at least 34 of the remaining 94 were dead, and likely many more.
The intervention by the hostages’ relatives came as Israel and Hamas announced they were in the final stages of a deal for a ceasefire and release of detainees, which in its first phase could see 33 hostages released.
The deal remained fragile, though. Hamas has not said how many of the 33 were still alive, and Israel has accordingly not committed to a precise number of Palestinian prisoners it would release in return.
“If you’re pro-resolution” of the hostage situation, “you’re pro-peace,” said Ehud Goren, cousin of Tal Haimi from kibbutz Nir Yitzhak.
By more carefully monitoring its distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, the EU also could ensure donated resources were used for civilian reconstruction rather than militant purposes, said the hostages’ relatives.
“The EU needs to check that every kilo of cement it donates is spent on constructing buildings and not tunnels for terrorists,” he argued.
While US involvement has been crucial so far in negotiations, the EU has been hobbled by divisions between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian member states, the families said.
They also criticised a lack of transparency from Israel, with Yotam Cohen, brother of the IDF solider Nimrod Cohen, saying “We’re left in the dark”.
“The Middle East needs stability, and Europe is directly interested in this. It’s time to sit at the table and take action,” Korngold stated.
The EU could contribute to post-conflict rebuilding efforts and help ensure humanitarian aid reaches its intended recipients, which would stabilise the region and address root causes of the ongoing conflict, they said.
Resolving the hostage crisis was said pivotal in resolving the broader regional conflict.
“Regardless of any vision for the Middle East, any resolution, any hope or future, it all begins with ending the hostage crisis,” said Goren.
“Every ongoing conflict Israel faces right now—in the north with Hezbollah, with the Houthis, Iran—all erupted-on October 7, when the hostages were taken, and Hamas invaded Israel,” the family member added.
“Trump has stated multiple times that he aspires for peace and perhaps a Palestinian state,” he said.
“But regardless of the vision, every dream or aspiration starts with ending the war and returning the hostages. If this can be achieved, rebuilding and moving forward becomes possible.”
