Current:Home > MyRelatives and a friend of Israelis kidnapped and killed by Hamas visit Australia’s Parliament House -LegacyCapital
Relatives and a friend of Israelis kidnapped and killed by Hamas visit Australia’s Parliament House
View
Date:2025-04-19 05:11:12
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Relatives and a friend of Israelis kidnapped and killed by Hamas visited Australia’s Parliament House on Tuesday, sharing personal stories in an effort to lobby for international support for all hostages to be freed — and to support Israel’s war effort.
The group of five will meet political leaders during a two-day visit in Canberra. They are also expected to share their experiences with members of the community in Sydney and Melbourne during a weeklong Australian trip.
“Our aim first is to get the hostages back, all of them,” Elad Levy, 49, told reporters outside the Parliament House. Levy’s niece, Roni Eshel, was a 19-year-old soldier initially thought kidnapped during Hamas’ Oct. 7 incursion into Israel but confirmed dead weeks later.
“Our second aim is to get the support of the Australian people and the Australian government ... for Israel’s actions in wiping out Hamas and in our military actions right now to eradicate Hamas,” Levy added.
Australia’s major political parties have supported Israel’s right to defend itself but have urged Israel to comply with international law by containing non-combatant casualties in Gaza.
Israel has agreed to temporary, humanitarian pauses in its military operations in Gaza in exchange for the gradual release of hostages. The agreement had been due to expire Monday but was extended for an additional two days.
Iris Haim, 57, whose son Yotam Haim, 28, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, described “the process of waiting” as psychological terror” for families.
“It’s psychological terror because they don’t give the names until the last minute. We wait in fear,” Haim said.
She said she hoped the cease-fire would hold until all the hostages were released.
Mika Shani, 18, said her mother, Tal Shani, called Tuesday morning to say her kidnapped brother Amit Shani, who turned 16 in captivity, was not listed among the hostages to be freed. The boy was the only family member to be snatched by Hamas during an attack on their home in Kibbutz Be’eri.
“It’s been so frustrating. Every day, like, maybe today is the day. Maybe today he’s going to get out,” Mika Shani said.
Ofir Tamir, 26, said his kidnapped friend, Noa Argamani, who is also 26, had been caring for her mother, Loira Argamani, who suffered incurable brain cancer.
“The mother doesn’t have a lot of time or a lot of strength,” Tamir said.
Tali Kizhner’s 22-year-old son, Segev Kizhner, was killed at the same Nova music festival where Argamani was taken.
“It was not a matter of religion, it was not a matter of gender,” Tali Kizhner said. “They simply came to kill everybody,” the 50-year-old mom added.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Sam Taylor
- Sex therapist Dr. Ruth is NY's first loneliness ambassador – just what the doctor ordered
- How Ryan Reynolds Supported Wrexham Player Anthony Forde's Wife Laura Amid Her Brain Tumor Battle
- From loons to a Lab.: Minnesota's state flag submissions do not disappoint
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- For homeless veterans in Houston, a converted hotel provides shelter and hope
- Drinks giant Diageo sees share price slide after warning about sales in Caribbean and Latin America
- Former New York comptroller Alan Hevesi, tarnished by public scandals, dies at 83
- Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action
- FDA approves first vaccine against chikungunya virus for people over 18
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Oil companies attending climate talks have minimal green energy transition plans, AP analysis finds
- High-tech 3D image shows doomed WWII Japanese subs 2,600 feet underwater off Hawaii
- Video shows man crashing car into Florida sheriff's deputies, injuring 2
- Blake Lively’s Inner Circle Shares Rare Insight on Her Life as a Mom to 4 Kids
- Tensions between Dominican Republic and Haiti flare after a brief armed standoff at the border
- Ransomware attack on China’s biggest bank disrupts Treasury market trades, reports say
- Nevada men's basketball coach Steve Alford hates arena bats, Wolf Pack players embrace them
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Arkansas man receives the world's first whole eye transplant plus a new face
Kraken forward Jordan Eberle out after getting cut by skate in practice
Puerto Rico declares flu epidemic with 42 deaths, over 900 hospitalizations
Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
Alaska judge upholds Biden administration’s approval of the massive Willow oil-drilling project
Harry Styles Debuts Shaved Head During Las Vegas Trip With Taylor Russell
Black riverboat co-captain faces assault complaint filed by white boater in Alabama dock brawl