London, UK – The parents of Ran Mamou, the final Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza, have spoken of their agonizing wait and the overwhelming support they are receiving from across Israel, as efforts continue to secure his remains. Talik Mamou described the emotional toll of the past 26 months, much of which has been spent campaigning for the return of all hostages – both living and dead.
Under a US-brokered ceasefire deal that began on October 10, Hamas agreed to return the final 20 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 28 deceased israelis and foreign nationals still in Gaza within 72 hours. All the living hostages were released on October 13 in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, but the repatriation of remains has been a protracted process, often occurring one at a time.
“When Hamas bring one of the hostages home we don’t know who it is indeed, maybe itS Rani, maybe it’s someone else… it’s like roulette. You cannot imagine the fright and the hope and everything. Sometimes it’s not a hostage” at all, Talik explained, referencing instances where remains handed over were identified as those of deceased palestinians. “My wish is that no mother will feel what I feel in the whole world. We are strong peopel,but what is inside,you cannot imagine… They stole my child and I can do nothing – just pray and come to visit people and beg for help.”
Talik revealed she has not had a full night’s sleep since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. “You feel that you have 5,000 kilos on your chest. We don’t have night. We don’t have day. We have nothing,” she said.
Despite being the last family in Israel awaiting news of a loved one held in Gaza, the Mamous emphasized the widespread solidarity they are experiencing.”All the families are together with us and all Israeli people are with us. It [the support] is bigger than before because all israeli people are now focused on one thing – bring Ran home and then do the second phase [of the peace deal],” Talik stated.
The couple expressed hope for lasting peace and the dismantling of Hamas following Ran’s return. They described their son as a “hero in Israel,” noting that Hamas had inadvertently elevated his status.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday also hailed Ran as a “hero of Israel,” stating he had “eliminated 14 terrorists and did so with the utmost bravery” before being killed in battle. “We are resolute to bring ran back for a proper Jewish burial and we will spare no effort to do so,” Netanyahu vowed.
Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, attack, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 70,120 deaths in the territory as of this report.
