A multi-generational family residing in a southern Israeli kibbutz is suspected of having been abducted by Hamas following an attack by the militants on Saturday
Yossi Sneider shared his shock and dread when he recognized his cousin and her two young children in a video surrounded by militants. He attempted to contact his family at 06:00 on Saturday to ensure their safety, but no one answered his calls. Mr. Sneider has also been unsuccessful in reaching his cousin’s parents or husband.
A few hours after the attempted call on Saturday morning, he stumbled upon a photograph that appeared to depict his cousin, Shiri Bib, along with her two children, four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir, in the presence of Hamas militants.
“At about 10 am, 10:30 on Saturday morning, I saw a picture of Shiri holding these two little children, with Hamas terrorists all surrounding her,” Mr. Sneider recounted to BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
On Saturday, Hamas breached the barrier between Gaza and Israel, launching a deadly assault that has claimed the lives of over 900 people, a brutal attack that has garnered widespread condemnation. Retaliatory Israeli airstrikes, according to local authorities, have resulted in the deaths of over 700 individuals in the Gaza Strip.
Shortly after receiving the photograph, Mr. Sneider received a video showing Shiri “being held by terrorists… crying with the two babies in her hands.” He expressed concerns about the conditions they were being held in, as they appeared to lack essential supplies like food and diapers. He hoped fervently that they hadn’t been separated from their mother.
Shiri’s parents and husband – Margit Silverman, Yossi Silverman, and Yarden – are also missing. Despite his efforts to contact them, Mr. Sneider has received no response. He particularly worries about Margit’s health, describing her as very ill, suffering from Parkinson’s disease, multiple blood issues, and diabetes.
While Mr. Sneider is certain that his cousin and her two children have been taken as hostages, he remains uncertain about the fate of Margit, Yossi, and Yarden. Shiri, a kindergarten teacher, is described as gentle and kind, and her cousin expressed the belief that no one deserves to go through such a traumatic experience
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, has claimed that between 100 and 150 people are being held hostage in Gaza after being kidnapped from Israel. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari revealed that the families of 50 hostages have been notified by the military.
The armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam brigades, has issued threats to execute one captive for each new Israeli airstrike on civilian homes without warning.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has likened Hamas to the Islamic State group and declared that his country intends to use “unprecedented force.” the militants on Saturday
When asked about his stance on what should happen next, Mr. Sneider expressed support for the decisions made by Israel’s government and military. He remarked, “We are not dealing with people; it’s worse than animals; animals would not do things they’re [Hamas militants] doing.”