In brief
Herut Nimrodi, the mother of Israeli hostage Tamir Nimrodi, expresses lingering hope two years after his abduction by Hamas. She emphasizes the emotional toll endured by families of hostages as the peace talks gain momentum. Despite no confirmation of his status, Nimrodi advocates for all hostages to be returned and pleads for closure amidst uncertainty.
The mother of an Israeli man taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 says she still does not know if her son is dead or alive, but has real hope that US President Donald Trump's peace plan will bring the return of all the hostages held in Gaza.
Herut Nimrodi told BBC News she was fearing the worst for her son Tamir, a non-combat soldier, but she was clinging to hope that he's still hanging on two years after his abduction. She stated he was the only Israeli hostage whose family had not been told if they were alive or dead.
The peace plan, proposed by President Trump, has been gaining momentum, with indirect talks now underway between Hamas and Israel to end the war and secure the hostages' return.
They have been trying to create an agreement for a while but it didn't take off. This time it feels different, Ms Nimrodi said, expressing her wishes for the agreement promising the return of not only living but also deceased hostages.
This is huge, this is a blessing for us, she noted, highlighting the urgent need for the release of hostages to provide their families with closure.
The emotional burden remains heavy for the families. Living through the trauma of past memories, Nimrodi articulated her struggles and advocated for her son's return, attending rallies in Tel Aviv with other families of hostages.
The loss of communication since his abduction has taken a toll, with Nimrodi's last memory being a video capturing her son being taken away, a moment that haunts her. To hope for two years - it's absolutely exhausting, she reflected.
