Family remains hopeful as son remains missing after Hamas attack
- Sagui Dekel-Chen has been held hostage by Hamas since the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
- Jonathan Dekel-Chen is hopeful about his son's survival despite recent reports of injuries.
- The release of all remaining hostages is seen as essential for peace in the region.
The situation surrounding hostages held by Hamas began following the group's terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Among the hostages is Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli-American who has been missing for several months. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, last received an update about him in December 2023 and has been anxiously awaiting news on his son’s fate. Jonathan stated that there are 79 hostages currently in captivity, including six Americans. He emphasized that the release of all remaining hostages is crucial for an improved future in Gaza. As the conflict continued, there have been some releases of hostages due to negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In the past week, four members of Jonathan's community were freed, bringing some relief to their families. However, Jonathan remains concerned about his son's well-being, mentioning reports from former hostages stating that Sagui was wounded but alive. With the ongoing war, which has resulted in significant casualties, the plight of the hostages has highlighted the broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands have lost their lives. Sagui Dekel-Chen, a father of three, remains uninformed about his family's safety, including the birth of his youngest daughter after his captivity. It is still unclear what he knows about the devastating events in his community due to the attack. Jonathan reflects on the mental and emotional challenges that returning hostages will face, recognizing that they will not return to their previous lives, as many within their communities have perished. Amidst the ceasefire agreement established to release hostages and ensure the withdrawal of troops from Gaza, families of the released captives continue to advocate for those still missing. Reports from released hostages reveal the horrific conditions they experienced, underscoring the urgency for all held individuals to be freed. Lee Siegel, a recently released hostage, exemplifies this spirit by asking how he can assist in bringing his fellow captives home, indicating a shared determination among the families and released individuals to combat the circumstances arising from this conflict.