In one instant, the life I knew was stolen from me by murderers and terrorists. One horrific moment ultimately turned into 54 days. Each day, my life — my husband, three beautiful children, friends, my parents, neighbors, my sense of time — faded further into a suffocating blurriness.
Until Oct. 7, 2023, I called Kibbutz Nir Oz in Israel our home. It was a peaceful agricultural community before the Hamas terrorists launched a relentless and brutal attack, killing innocent men, women and children and destroying all that we had built. Hamas took me hostage and killed my husband, Aviv, the love of my life for 30 years.
Each day, my life — my husband, three beautiful children, friends, my parents, neighbors, my sense of time — faded further into a suffocating blurriness.
It has now been 100 days since Oct. 7, when approximately 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered and about 240 hostages were taken to Gaza. The 136 hostages believed to remain captive have been held in horrific conditions, with little food, fresh air or sunlight. They are suffering from injuries, starvation, torture and sexual violence.
It is difficult to convey how I feel about being home. I feel lucky to have been released during the temporary cease-fire, but I mourn for those I left behind. As happy as I am to be home with my children, the murder of my husband has left a wound that won’t heal. And although I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from world leaders fighting for an end to this crisis, I can’t help but feel like we’re failing. They are failing.
It has been 100 days, and each of these days and each of the 136 souls still in the hands of Hamas represents the failures of every government and leader who has the power to secure their release. Time is running out, and we need leadership in the U.S., Israel and across the region to do more if we have any hope of seeing the remaining hostages come home alive.
President Joe Biden and his administration have my heartfelt…
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