Northern Rivers group A Mother’s Cry carried signs and pictures of the hostages calling for hostages to be released. Photo supplied
A Mother’s Cry once again marched to the Byron Bay Lighthouse on Sunday 14 January to call for the immediate release of the 133 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The date marked 100 days of captivity for these 133 hostages that includes the youngest hostage, Kfir Bibas, will turn one today (18 January, 2024) if he is still alive.
A Mother’s Cry, is a Northern Rivers group that has been ‘holding regular gatherings “to raise awareness of the hostages” plight, marched on Sunday with local residents to the iconic Lighthouse in solidarity,’ stated the group in a press release.
‘The group carried signs and pictures of the hostages in an act of unity that is part of the global #RunforTheirLives campaign, amplifying the call to #BringThemHomeNow. The march to the Byron Bay Lighthouse, a symbol of guidance and protection, served as a metaphor for the light our community hopes to bring to those held in captivity.’
The impact of Hamas’ kidnapping, shooting, and rapes on October 7 and the aftermath have directly impacted many members of the Northern Rivers Jewish community. Many people have family or friends that have been killed, kidnapped or severely injured or still have family members in areas of Israel that continue to be directly targeted by rockets and incursions from Hamas and other affiliates.
‘Livnat Kutz, her husband Aviv and their three children Rotem, Yonatan and Yiftach Kutz, were all murdered by Hamas in their home on October 7. Livnat’s cousin (who has asked to remain anonymous), is a local Northern Rivers resident. The son of Tsvika, a much loved community member, was murdered at the Nova party. Ron, a father in our community, lost his good friend Tal Eilon. Unfortunately, even for our small community, there are several more examples. [One local’s] younger sister, [had] four of her friends murdered at the Nova party and one taken hostage.’
One-year-old Kfir Bibas
‘Kfir Bibas was taken with his mother and brother Ariel. Hamas, in late November claimed they have all been killed, though there is no other evidence to confirm this,’ said a spokesperson for A Mother’s Cry.
‘Kfir and Ariel’s father Yarden, was kidnaped separately by Hamas and was informed of “the deaths” of his children while being recorded by Hamas for a propaganda video. A recent release of two videos published by Hamas, of three of the hostages, has expanded the psychological warfare Hamas is using on the Israeli population. The first video showed three hostages and the message attached was, what will be their fate? The next day the second video showed two of the three have been killed.’
Release the hostages
A Mother’s Cry continues to call for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas highlighting the lack of international pressure has been applied for this to happen saying their ‘liberation is one of the two key targets of Israel’s military operations in Gaza’.
‘There have now been several public interviews by some of the released hostages. All of them speak of extreme, varying conditions while being held captive. One woman said that a young woman was tortured next to her. Several have spoken of hearing directly from women in captivity about being sexually assaulted. Most of the captives have returned malnourished. One child was made to watch raw footage of some of the atrocities of 7 October, 2023. Some people were held in tiny underground spaces for over 50 days, deep in underground Hamas tunnels, being barely able to move and with very little light. Some were kept in apartments with Palestinian families. Children were told they were not allowed to cry and needed to be quiet at all times, some were drugged with Ketamine. People were beaten and threatened. Israeli press two days ago, reporting that families need to be prepared for the possibility of female hostages returning pregnant, after being raped in captivity,’ explained A Mother’s Cry spokesperson.
‘Many of the peace-building organisations in Israel have repeatedly called for a hostage release deal to be front and centre as a means to abate the ongoing war.’
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