The desperate mother of two boys who were taken hostage by Hamas during the terrorist attacks 10 days ago is continuing to push for their release, calling on the Israeli government and world governments to help “bring them home now.”
Renana Gome, whose 12-year-old and 16-year-old boys were kidnapped in Israel and brought to Gaza, told her gut-wrenching story and relived the terrorist attack on Tuesday. The mother was away from her sons at the time of the attack, as they tried to hide from the terrorists in a safe room.
“I could hear my youngest who was on the phone with me saying, ‘Don’t take me! I’m too young!’ ” Gome said during a Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel press conference. “And that was the last I heard from him.
“Since Saturday, Oct. 7, I’ve heard nothing. I know nothing of there whereabouts,” she added. “I’ve heard nothing of how they are, what they’re doing, how they’re held. Just no information whatsoever.”
Also on Tuesday, the mother of a 21-year-old Israeli woman held hostage by Hamas appealed for her release after the terrorist group posted a video with her dazed and injured daughter.
The video of Mia Schem was the first sign of life from any of the hostages since the terrorist attacks 10 days ago in Israel. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.
“I’m begging the world to bring my baby back home,” Mia’s mother Keren Schem said at a press conference. “She only went to a party, to a festival party to have some fun. Now she’s in Gaza.”
Renana Gome also called on the world to help set the hostages free.
“This has to be the first thing on the agenda of the Israeli government and of foreign governments,” Gome said, also adding, “Bring them home now.”
“This hope for peace, as far I’m concerned, is gone — and all I want is my government and your governments to bring my children back home now,” she said.
Mia Schem was taken by the terrorists at a desert rave just over the border from Gaza, which became the site of what is believed to be the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history.
At least 260 people were gunned down as heavily armed terrorists in trucks and on motorcycles barreled through the vast field on Kibbutz Re’im, where thousands had gathered for a carefree night of electronic music.
At least 199 people were taken into captivity from Re’im and other areas in southern Israel. American citizens have also been taken hostage.
Mia’s mother said, “This is a crime against humanity and we should all gather and stop this terror and bring everybody back home.”
President Biden on Tuesday was departing for his trip to Israel.
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Biden would be spending time there talking with leaders “about the plight of those hostages that Hamas is holding, including some Americans. We want to make sure we get them home to their families, and we’re working in concert with all our partners to do that.”
Herald wire services were used in this report.
