Parent of Israeli-American Hostage Calls Netanyahu’s ‘Total Victory’ Unattainable

The father of an Israeli American hostage held by Hamas expressed his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the ongoing hostage crisis. He believes Netanyahu is focusing more on achieving a complete military victory over Hamas rather than making efforts to secure the release of hostages.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, speaking on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” criticized Netanyahu, asserting that the Prime Minister’s actions reveal a priority to maintain power alongside a radical coalition rather than ensuring the safety of hostages. Dekel-Chen asserts that the idea of total victory over Hamas is unrealistic and seems to take precedence over the lives of those being held captive.

Segui Dekel-Chen, aged 35 and originally from Connecticut, was among approximately 250 individuals taken hostage during a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7th that also resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in southern Israel. Reports indicate that Segui was one of the first in his community, Kibbutz Nir Oz, to identify the infiltration of Hamas militants during the attack.

The situation worsened on Sunday when the Israeli military announced the recovery of six hostages’ bodies, including that of Hersh Goldberg-Polin from Berkeley, California. The Israel Defense Forces reported that these individuals were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces reached them in an underground location in Rafah.

This tragic development has reignited calls for a cease-fire and a hostage release agreement to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for ten months. Negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and international mediators have been ongoing but are reportedly stalled.

Dekel-Chen expressed his discontent with the Israeli government’s handling of negotiations, highlighting the absence of reasonable explanations for their reluctance to engage more deeply in discussions aimed at securing the hostages’ safe return. He noted that both senior military and intelligence experts have publicly underscored the importance of ending the violence in Gaza while prioritizing the recovery of hostages.

Amid growing frustration, protests erupted among Israeli citizens, with many demanding immediate action from Netanyahu to negotiate for the safe return of hostages. Demonstrators directed shouts of “Now! Now!” towards the Prime Minister.

Despite the demands from the public, Netanyahu has remained unwavering in his commitment to continue military operations until Hamas is dismantled. He argues that the pressure from military actions is necessary for the safe return of hostages. Reports indicate that more than 40,000 Palestinians have died since the escalation began in early October, and the conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza.

On Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Hamas would be held accountable for the recent killings of the hostages. He insisted that Israel would not relent in its pursuit of those responsible for these acts, saying, “Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.” He claims that Hamas has refused to engage in genuine negotiations while asserting that the Israeli government had agreed to a captive release plan supported by the U.S.

In response, Hamas has countered by stating it is willing to release the hostages in exchange for halting the war, withdrawing Israeli troops, and freeing certain Palestinian prisoners. A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, pointed out that the hostages might still be alive had Israel accepted a cease-fire proposal backed by the U.S., which Hamas reportedly agreed to back in July.

The U.S. has played a significant mediation role in the prolonged negotiations. Dekel-Chen noted the considerable support provided to families of the hostages by the U.S. government. He emphasized that resolution hinges on the willingness of both Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to agree to terms.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen resides in Kibbutz Nir Oz with Segui’s mother, Neomit, who herself experienced captivity before being rescued. Reports indicate she was taken in a cart toward Gaza, but an Israeli military operation managed to neutralize the assailants, enabling her eventual return.

As the situation continues to develop, the urgency for a resolution remains at the forefront of public concern, with families and citizens alike pushing for a direct response from their leaders.

Source: Various news outlets