Hamas Prevents Israeli Women from Speaking Out About Their Captivity: US State Department

“Hamas Prevents Israeli Hostages from Speaking Out, US State Department Reveals”

The hostage deal partially fell apart last week because Hamas wanted to prevent the remaining Israeli women it holds in Gaza from talking about their time in custody, US State Department spokesman told reporters in Washington on Monday. 

“It seems one of the reasons they don’t want to turn women over that they have been holding hostage and the reason this pause fell apart is that they do not want these women to be able to talk about what happened to them during their time in custody,” Miller said during an emotional moment in the press conference.

Miller spoke four days after a week-long pause in the Gaza war ended on December 1. That deal allowed for Hamas to release 81 of the 240 captives it had seized during its October 7 infiltration into southern Israel in which it also killed over 1,200 people.

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Some 17 to 20 women and children remained behind, with the US and Israel charging that Hamas violated that deal. Some eight of those captives also hold US citizenship.

Hostage Deal in Gaza Falls Apart Over Hamas’ Attempt to Silence Israeli Women

A hostage deal between Hamas and Israel fell apart last week as Hamas attempted to prevent the remaining Israeli women it holds in Gaza from speaking about their time in custody. The US State Department spokesman revealed this information during a press conference on Monday in Washington, shedding light on the reason behind the breakdown of the deal.

“It seems one of the reasons they don’t want to turn women over that they have been holding hostage and the reason this pause fell apart is that they do not want these women to be able to talk about what happened to them during their time in custody,” said the spokesperson, Miller, in an emotional moment.

The revelation came four days after a week-long pause in the Gaza war ended on December 1. During this pause, Hamas was supposed to release 81 of the 240 captives it had seized during its infiltration into southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people. However, 17 to 20 women and children were still being held captive, even though they were supposed to be released according to the agreement.

Both the United States and Israel have condemned Hamas for violating the deal. What adds further complexity to the situation is that eight of the remaining captives are US citizens. The State Department is particularly concerned about their well-being and is actively working to ensure their safe release.

The attempt by Hamas to silence these Israeli women is a troubling development that highlights the group’s disregard for human rights and freedom of speech. It is crucial that the international community takes a stand against such actions and demands the immediate release of all the remaining captives.

The hostage situation in Gaza has been a cause for concern for months, with innocent civilians being held against their will. The international community, including the United States, has called for an end to this crisis and for Hamas to comply with international law.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is imperative for diplomatic efforts to be intensified to secure the release of all the hostages and to hold Hamas accountable for its actions. The voices of these Israeli women must not be silenced, and their stories deserve to be heard. It is only through international pressure and cooperation that a resolution to this humanitarian crisis can be achieved..

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By TOVAH LAZAROFF said Hamas violated hostage deal so women wouldn’t talk, US spokesman alleges

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