Some family members of hostages still held in Gaza are set to be in the audience when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress on Wednesday afternoon.
“What we're all hoping to hear is that a deal has been completed,” Efrat Moshkoviz told NPR. She is the aunt of Naama Levy, who turned 20 in captivity last month. Footage of Levy being dragged from the back of a truck, bound and with blood on the seat of her pants, became a symbol of the violence women faced while being kidnapped by Hamas-led militants last October.
“To be slightly more realistic, I want to hear explicit commitment. I want Netanyahu to look us in the eye, all of the hostage families, and say, ‘I am committed to this. I will get this done. It's my top priority and it's a matter of hours or days.’”
Eight American hostages are still being held in Gaza, among 120 hostages still in captivity; more than one-third of hostages are believed to be dead. Netanyahu’s office previously announced that Israel would be sending negotiators back to the table on Thursday, but Israeli officials said Wednesday that the Israeli delegation would leave only after President Biden and Netanyahu meet on Thursday.
TVNL Comment: Bibi wants to complete his goal of genocide. Don't hold your breath that he will show any concern for the hostages.