The son of an Israeli hostage, Amiram Cooper, whose body is still in Gaza, has conveyed his resolve to continue the struggle, stating, “It’s not over, and it’s going to be a longer battle.” Rotem Cooper, speaking to the BBC, revealed the emotional toll on families as they grapple with the realization that not all deceased hostages have been returned. He is urging international mediators, including US President Donald Trump, Qatar, and Egypt, to exert pressure on Hamas to adhere to the agreement and ensure the return of all remaining bodies.
The initial ceasefire and hostage release agreement aimed to see all remaining hostages returned by Monday, with a significant number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange. While 20 living hostages were freed, the bodies of four deceased hostages were the only ones returned, a stark disappointment for families who had held onto hope for their loved ones’ return after two years of captivity. Rotem Cooper described this outcome as a “very big disappointment” and expressed his belief that Hamas is “playing games.”
Amiram Cooper and his wife were kidnapped from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. His mother was released later that month, but Amiram was killed in captivity. The circumstances of his death are under investigation, with Hamas claiming he was killed by an Israeli military strike, while the Israel Defense Forces are examining the details. Rotem Cooper highlighted that the return of his father’s body would bring much-needed closure and allow him to “sleep better at night.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for a strong response from the Israeli government and mediators to address what they perceive as Hamas’s violation of the agreement, advocating that further stages of the peace plan should not proceed until all remaining bodies are returned. Cooper shared his mixed emotions, describing the return of the living hostages as a moment of “tremendous anticipation” and “big relief,” contrasted with the “heartbreaking” thought of the deceased being returned.
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