Jonathan Dekel-Chen, the father of an Israeli-American hostage held by Hamas, has called for an urgent negotiated agreement to secure the release of hostages, including his son Sagui. He expressed frustration with the current Israeli military strategy, emphasizing that the ongoing fighting has not succeeded in bringing the hostages home. Dekel-Chen criticized the idea of achieving total victory over Hamas through military pressure, pointing out that several hostages have been murdered recently, highlighting the need for a different approach.
The situation remains dire, with seven U.S. citizens still being held by Hamas, and there is growing pressure on the U.S. and Israeli governments to secure their release. President Biden and Vice President Harris are actively involved in the efforts, meeting with the U.S. negotiating team in the White House Situation Room. This comes after the recent murder of six hostages, including an American, which has intensified the urgency to find a resolution.
Urgent Plea for Hostage Negotiations as Father Criticizes Israeli Military Strategy
In Israel, public anger is escalating, with massive protests erupting in response to the government’s perceived failure to secure a ceasefire and bring the hostages home. The discovery of the bodies of six hostages has fueled this anger, leading to widespread demonstrations and a general strike that has caused significant disruptions across the country.
Dekel-Chen acknowledged the support provided by the Biden administration and other U.S. entities in trying to broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas, but he stressed that more needs to be done. He urged both sides to reach an agreement and bring an end to the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that the U.S. has done everything in its power, but the final decision lies with Israel and Hamas.
Finally, Dekel-Chen criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for not completing a deal, arguing that Hamas is too weakened to justify continued military action. He contended that the only resistance to a deal comes from the Israeli government, which he accused of using the situation for domestic political purposes, rather than focusing on the military and intelligence realities.
