NEW DELHI: Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to commemorate the twentieth birthday of Naama Levy, who has been held captive in Gaza by Palestinian militant group Hamas since October seventh. The demonstrators, who launched balloons and chanted rhythmically to the sound of drums, shared small cupcakes adorned with birthday candles whereas demanding the discharge of all hostages taken by Hamas following their lethal assault on Israel.Yoni Levy, Naama’s 52-year-old father, sporting a shirt that includes his daughter’s image, stated, “She must be right here together with her household, together with her buddies.” Amit, Naama’s older brother, shared reminiscences of his sister with Reuters on Thursday, referring to {a magazine} {photograph} of her smiling face with the caption: “Convey Her House”.He stated, “I actually cannot wait to see this smile when she comes again quickly.”Writing a letter to her daughter within the New York Submit, Naama’s mom expressed her anguish, writing, “This can be a letter no mom ought to ever have to write down to her daughter. As we speak is your twentieth birthday. You have to be celebrating this event surrounded by family and friends. As an alternative, you might be enduring your 260th day as a hostage in Gaza surrounded by terrorists.” She continued, “The uncertainty and dread I expertise is suffocating, and every passing day that you’re not with us looks like an eternity. We is not going to cease preventing for you till you might be dwelling.”Hamas militants launched a video of Naama on October 7, displaying her together with her palms tied behind her again, sporting torn pyjamas, and visibly wounded. The video rapidly unfold on social media. Naama had simply began her service within the Israeli Protection Power when she was captured together with 4 different feminine military conscripts in the course of the raid that sparked Israel’s battle on Gaza. The raid resulted within the deaths of roughly 1,200 folks and the seize of greater than 250 hostages by Hamas. Israel’s response in Gaza has to this point claimed the lives of over 37,400 folks, together with 101 within the final 24 hours, in keeping with Palestinian well being authorities.
