medium sizeOn October 7, 2023, my only son, Hersh, was kidnapped from a music festival and his dominant forearm and hand were blown off. He was imprisoned, tortured, starved, and 328 days later, on August 29, 2024, in a dark, airless tunnel in Gaza, his hand (the only one he had), shoulder, neck and head Shot twice.

Hersh's name was on the list in July and was due to be released under an agreement between Hamas and Israel. But the deal didn't happen because the decision-makers didn't want it to happen. Hersh and five other beautiful young men who had been held hostage with him were now dead.

My husband, Jon, and I continue to advocate and push for the release of Gaza's remaining hostages after more than 300 days of nightmarish suffering. We don't want anyone else to go through what we are now and continue to struggle with for the rest of our lives. There are currently 98 hostages still in Gaza. Living hostages must return home for physical and mental recovery, and the dead must return for a proper and respectful burial.

Finally, on Wednesday, news came that a deal had been reached and would begin implementation immediately.

More than 200 messages flooded my phone. People seemed confused, and Jon and I felt relieved and happy that many in our hostage community who felt like family would eventually be reunited with their loved ones. That doesn't mean we aren't grieving our beloved Hersh who was buried 135 days ago. This means that we can hold two truths; we can even hold more.

Humans are fascinating creatures. We can experience many different feelings at the same time. So we can experience pain and still have the ability to laugh, we can long for someone and still have the ability to celebrate, we can cry and still be strong, we can yearn and be hopeful.

The most important thing for us at the moment is ensuring that this phase of the deal is the most important start the end of not the end. It was crucial to save 33 precious people. However, 65 hostages remain in captivity. This remains the epitome of failure for all humanity.

The remaining hostages represent 23 different countries. They are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. The youngest is Kfir Bibas, who will turn two on Saturday, January 18. The eldest is Shlomo Mansur, 86 years old. They are both scheduled to be released during the first phase of the deal. However back in November 2023 they were also supposed to be released (as was my son Hersh) but the deal fell through and now Hersh is dead. I pray that Kfir and Shlomo come home as planned, alive and able to recover.

In addition, innocent Gazans who have suffered greatly since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 are also in urgent need of immediate relief and recovery. Therefore, this agreement must be implemented to the end so that everyone in the region can finally meet our common urgent need for comfort.

While I am always optimistic and cautiously optimistic, a deal is not a deal until it is successfully completed.

Wish us all the best.