NewsNation Now

Families of Hamas hostages continue fight for loved ones’ release

(NewsNation) — Six months after five of her family members were taken hostage by Hamas militants, Abbey Onn says there are parts of her daily life that have gone back to normal.

However, she acknowledges other aspects will never be the same.


“To have witnessed or been part of such terror, you kind of can’t go back to yourself on October 6, and you are forever changed,” Onn told “NewsNation Now” on Tuesday, referring to the day before more than 200 people were taken hostage by Hamas. “We’re still very much in the fight to bring home the 133 hostages that are still there.”

Negotiations to free more hostages are currently on hold, according to Hamas. But as family members await news about the possible release of their loved ones, Onn said she finds it difficult to get too excited about the possibility without any concrete details.

She said that she, along with others, remain in the streets of Israel fighting for the release of those being held. In the meantime, she wears a reminder with a number written on a piece of paper signifying the number of days hostages have been in Hamas captivity.

“We know there is nothing more important for us as family members, but really as citizens of the country, to see every single one of those hostages come back. I think, really, that’s what we need to begin healing. I know that’s what my cousins need, and I know that all of us need to know that our country is going to fight to bring home people that were taken,” she said.