Brussels 27.05.2024 Families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 came to Brussels in search of support from the EU politicians and diplomats, hoping for safe return of Noa Argami, Ofer Kalderon, Bar Kuperman and Shai Levinson among the other 125 persons from Hamas captivity. However their fate remains unknown, and the chances of their liberation are becoming slimmer, burnt by the raging flames of war.
Their faces looking with despair from the bill-boards, and videos circulating on internet are becoming permanent feature, letting public get accustomed to the catastrophe, feeling immune to tragedy, while it is shifting away pushed by daily reports of new terrorist’s atrocities. The families of hostages are determined to avoid the sinking into oblivion the fate of their loved ones.

Noa Aragme, 26, aunt tells about the situation in her family, struck by the terminal illness of Noa’s mother, dreaming to see her daughter last time before passing away. Will she? Certainty it is largely dependent on the public pressure, and determination of all those believing, and defending human rights, right to life.  For many  Noa –  a student of Ben Gurion University – became a  symbol of  Hamas atrocities, “the face of the Nova music festival hostages”.

Bar Kupershtein, 22, and has been missing since the morning of October 7, when Hamas terrorists launched a massive assault on the Nova Festival.

His family tried to reach him as sirens began sounding throughout Israel, they could find his last phone location at 8 a.m. Hours later, his aunt found Hamas videos and photos of Kupershtein, tied up on the ground.

“Since then, we don’t know anything, we just know what we saw in the Hamas photos,” said his aunt, Ora, in several videos posted online.

Kupershtein began to take care for those shot and injured by terrorists, instead of running and escaping, according to survivors who shared their experience with his family. “He tried to protect others and to fight, without ammunition,” said his aunt. Kupershtein’s family, from Holon, is distraught and “out of their minds with worry,” said Ora.

The body of Shay Levinson, 19, from Giv’at Avni in northern Israel, he was a top volleyball player and played for years with the team in Eilabun, an Arab village near his hometown. For several years, he was the only Israeli Jew on the team and strongly believed in coexistence.

On the 7th of October Levinson served in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion, and his body was taken hostage from the Nahal Oz area, following a battle with terrorists during the Hamas onslaught. His family doesn’t wish the other soldiers risk their lives to recover Shay remains, however they are waiting for his release to return home for a burial.

 Ofer Kalderon, 53, who was kidnapped by Hamas to Gaza along with his children, Sahar, 16, and Erez, 12. Sahar and Erez were both released during the pause in fighting and hostage deal in November; however Ofer remains in Gaza.

Earlier Israel Ambassador to Belgium H.E. Idit Rosenzweig-Abu posted a message on her Twitter social media page, thanking everyone, who came to support the families of hostages, kept by Hamas terrorists since 7 October attack, while the struggle for human rights of Israeli hostages goes on.