(NewsNation) — Months after the war between Israel and Hamas began, more than 100 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.
Moshe Lavi’s brother-in-law is one of those still being held hostage, and Lavi said the family hasn’t had an update since late November, when a number of hostages were released as part of a temporary cease-fire.
Israeli intelligence has said a number of hostages have been killed, and it has spoken to the families of those hostages. Those remaining in Gaza are still at risk, both from their captors and from continued Israeli bombing.
“I think the Israeli government is doing what it needs to do, which is negotiation with Hamas through relevant stakeholders like Qatar and the U.S.,” Lavi said.
He blamed Hamas for the delay, saying the group is making demands that are impossible for Israel to accept.
Lavi said families still must keep up pressure on the government, especially when some in the right wing of government are not making hostages a priority in the conflict.
Lavi said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed his commitment to the release of hostages.
“That needs to be above any other objective above all else,” Lavi said.
Lavi said in the meantime, he and other family members will continue doing whatever it takes, holding rallies, speaking to the public and appearing on TV to keep reminding policymakers to make hostages a priority.
“Time is of the essence,” Lavi said. “Every second in captivity is eternity. We need all of the hostages back before it’s too late.”