Four months ago today, Israel and all those who love the Jewish state were forever changed. The Israeli people are still grieving, still mourning their family members and friends, and still praying for the return of the hostages who remain captive in horrific conditions in Gaza.
Today the heartbroken family of 23-year-old Romi Gonen released the haunting audio recording of Romi’s last phone call to her mother, Meirav. Romi was at the Nova music festival and called as she and her friends were ambushed trying to flee the terrorists. With bullets ringing out around their car and Romi’s best friend Gaya dying next to her, Meirav is heard comforting her daughter saying "I’m with you, sweetheart. Everything is going to be ok."
The call lasted 45 minutes, until Romi was abducted by Hamas into Gaza. Today was her 124th day enduring unimaginable torture and trauma at the hands of Hamas.
On Tuesday, Congresswoman Haley Stevens shared Romi’s story on the House floor, in a powerful call to free the hostages and pass vital emergency aid for Israel.
We cannot allow Hamas' atrocities to fade from memory. Click below to share four videos with your social media network.
IDF uncovers massive terror tunnel in Khan Yunis where hostages were held
Israeli troops continued operating in Khan Yunis today to kill Hamas terrorists, destroy remaining terror cells, and eliminate the group’s infrastructure. IDF soldiers discovered a large underground tunnel built beneath a major civilian area, which was used by senior Hamas operatives to hold Israeli hostages and hide terrorists.
This video published by the IDF shows the barred cell where hostages were held underground.
Secretary Blinken in Israel
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel today for his fifth visit to the Jewish state since October 7. Blinken met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and other senior Israeli officials as part of his trip throughout the region – including to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar.
The Secretary of State emphasized that civilian casualties in Gaza are the result of Hamas’ horrific attack and what it has done in Gaza. "There are so many innocent men, women, and children who are suffering as a result of the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and now being caught in a crossfire of Hamas’s making," he said.
Members of Congress meet Knesset speaker and hostage families
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and families of hostages in Gaza met with members of Congress on Capitol Hill today. "124 days too long," said Senator Joni Ernst at a press conference with the families. "We will not stop until every hostage held by Hamas is returned home to their loved ones."
"It won’t happen without military pressure."
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi spoke today in northern Gaza and emphasized that it will require more time to complete Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas and freeing the hostages.
"When we talked about dismantling Hamas, we didn't think it would be in a week, we didn't think it would be in a month," he said. "It's peeling off layers…more terrorists killed, more commanders killed, more infrastructure destroyed, and I hope this pressure also brings us to achieving another important goal of bringing back the hostages, I hope all of them, we are making a big effort on this. It won't happen without military pressure."
Israeli officials believe 18 of Hamas’ 24 battalions are now destroyed. More than 20,000 Hamas terrorists have been taken off the battlefield by the IDF.
U.S. strikes Kataib Hezbollah commander in Iraq
Tonight, the U.S. military carried out a drone strike killing a senior Iranian-backed terrorist in Iraq. U.S. Central Command issued a statement saying "We will not hesitate to hold responsible all those who threaten our forces’ safety." Wisam Mohammed Saber al-Saedi was a senior commander of Kataib Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terror group that attacked and killed three U.S. servicemembers in Jordan last month.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
