Families of Israeli hostages mark anniversary with mock-up of Hamas tunnel

Family members of Ohad Ben Ami, who is still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, hold his photograph in a 30-meter tunnel in Tel -Aviv Photo: ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK

Israeli families of hostages recreated a Hamas tunnel to mark 100 days since the terrorist group first abducted their relatives.

Families built a mock tunnel in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to draw attention to their loved ones still held captive more than three months after the Oct. 7 attacks.

The cramped and dimly lit tunnel opened on Saturday , was built to simulate the conditions hostages had to endure inside Hamas' network of underground tunnels.

Ella Ben Ami, 23, whose father Oded, 55, is still being held in the Gaza Strip, told 12 channel that she was “shaking” when she walked through the underground passage.

«For almost 100 days [the hostages] weren't able to leave this place,» said the 23-year-old, whose mother Raz was kidnapped separately but then released in November.

She told NBC News it was «difficult keep hope» for «as many days.»

Many of the remaining 132 Israeli hostages are elderly and suffer from chronic illnesses that require daily medication. Their families appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross with a request to visit the hostages, deliver medicine and check their condition.

Rachel Goldberg-Paulin's son, Hersh, is held hostage after the October 7th attacks. Photo: MAYA ALLERUZU/AP

The Red Cross said Hamas had denied it access.

Israelis Pressure is mounting on officials to secure the release of some 132 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip.< /p>

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Friday that Israel has reached an agreement with Qatar that will allow the delivery of medicine to hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The medicine will be distributed to the hostages «next year.» several days,» the office said in a statement.

The Forum for Hostages and Missing Families, which represents the families of the hostages, said it would demand «visual evidence» that the drugs reached the hostages.

A video message from Emmanuel Macron will be shown at the rally at Hostage Square. , the President of France and other world leaders. Similar events are planned in cities outside Israel, including London, New York and Paris.

The families' tireless campaign has received widespread support and sympathy, increasing pressure on the Israeli government to make concessions to secure their release . .

More than 100 hostages were released during a week-long truce in early December. Earlier this week, Israeli officials said they would not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza unless Hamas agreed to release more hostages.

Relatives of the hostage pose near the model of the tunnel. Photo: ALEXANDER MENEGHINI/REUTERS

The repatriation of Gazans to their homes could be used as a bargaining chip during hostage negotiations.

Dorit Gwili of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum told Channel 12 News: “I think we need public pressure, there is no other way.”

“We have to remember them. We must constantly say that these people are alive and they need to be returned. We feel claustrophobic here every minute.”

Rachel Goldberg-Paulin, 54, spends her days trying to get her son Hersh and other hostages home.

The mother sticks a piece on herself every morning tape indicating the number of days her only son has been held hostage in Gaza.

Ms. Goldberg-Paulin, who began the ritual on day 26, implored those around the world to adopt the same daily routine, hoping that showing solidarity will help her and other families endure the pain and agony of waiting another day for their loved ones to return.

She said that her identity is “how many days he was stolen.”

In In a message to her 23-year-old son, she said: “We need you to stay strong. And survive and stay alive. And we go.”