136 people still kidnapped in Gaza
Yesterday brought a heavy moment for the family as a WhatsApp message interrupted their day: “Ori left the group.” Ori, 25, is held captive in Gaza after an attack that involved Hamas, and the family is left seeking clarity with each passing hour. A company policy was cited to explain that when an account remains inactive for more than 120 days, it is deleted. In reality, Ori has been a hostage since the escalation, a fact disclosed amid reports of the assault on a music festival near the barrier that separates Israel from Gaza. The attack claimed many young lives, with casualties numbering in the hundreds and a heavy toll on families across the region.
The events unfolded on October 7 and, six days later, Israeli officers arrived at the Danino family home in Givat Zeev, an Israeli settlement near Jerusalem. The information provided was stark: Ori was alive but in the hands of Hamas. Since then, there has been little contact or official update.
Updates traveled with visits to Madrid where Ori’s family met with the Spanish king, Felipe VI, as well as with several other relatives of abducted individuals and a released hostage. The gathering was part of a broader effort organized by the Israeli government to rally support for the hostage release campaign and the broader fight against Hamas in Gaza. The government described the latest Israeli action as the largest response in history to the Gaza Strip, in retaliation for attacks that had killed dozens of Israeli civilians, and for the staggering mortality in Gaza reported by the Ministry of Health.
In a candid moment, the family described the emotions surrounding a younger sibling. A 15-year-old boy, Aharon, was noted for his resilient smile even amid fear. The father reflected on a letter written for his absent brother, describing the heartbreak and the unending concern for the missing son. The family asked for the king’s influence to help secure Ori’s release and bring him home.
During the visit, the family also spoke with Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, at La Moncloa. They shared a table with the Head of Government in a setting adorned with photographs of kidnapped relatives. The father emphasized that the discussion came from a place of parental concern, asking for leaders to act with the empathy that comes from personal fatherly experience—imagining not knowing what happened to one’s own child for months. The father expressed a desire for direct engagement with world leaders to press for action.
The family is mindful of public criticism of the conflict, including statements about civilian casualties in Gaza. They understand the pressures that leaders face, recognizing that the responsibilities of governing demand attention to both Palestinian and Israeli concerns.
136 people still kidnapped in Gaza
Ori, the eldest of five siblings, was at the Tribe of Nova music festival in the Reim area, where thousands of young people gathered, including visitors from abroad. The last known images show Ori at the festival wearing sunglasses, dancing and enjoying the moment before the violence erupted.
Following the attack, Ori managed to escape the initial onslaught by filling a car with others to help them flee. He later chose to return to help the people he had just met, a decision that led to his capture along with three companions he had tried to rescue. The final exchange of messages with a friend occurred around 8:34 a.m., on a morning that would go down as one of the darkest in recent history for Israel.
Whether Ori remains alive is unknown. Some internal Israeli assessments have suggested that a portion of the abducted may have died in the early days of the crisis, with independent outlets reporting similar figures. Reports indicate that many of the kidnapped remain in homes across Gaza, which has endured extensive bombardment by Israeli air power.
The family’s day-to-day life is marked by a constant question: what might happen next? The father acknowledges the possibility of harm but holds onto the hope that his son could return. He speaks of a steadfast belief that help will come and that there is a chance for reunion, even as the days stretch on.
In the midst of ongoing talks about a ceasefire, new proposals have surfaced. One plan outlines phased releases of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside a humanitarian access corridor to Gaza and a renewed push for a broader ceasefire that would enable reconstruction efforts. The scale of damage to housing and infrastructure has been significant, highlighting the urgent need for relief and rebuilding.
“I know my son could reappear at any moment,” the father says, underscoring a blend of hope and hardship that defines life for families affected by this crisis. The search for answers continues to shape every day, even as routine life resumes in small ways amid the ongoing uncertainty.
Groups of hostages’ family members
The father has chosen private observance over public vigils, preferring personal prayer and quiet reflection to the public demonstrations that sometimes accompany a national crisis. He respects the efforts of others who advocate in Parliament and in public squares, while maintaining a personal stance that trusted leaders and diplomats will handle the situation with the necessary care and determination. His view remains that officials will prioritize the safety and return of loved ones.
The family’s experience has involved contact with government representatives and participation in discussions across multiple capitals. They have described a global struggle that connects violent extremism with wider security challenges, underscoring the belief that the crisis touches cities beyond the immediate conflict and may echo in other places around the world in the years ahead.
Their perspective remains one of cautious patience, measured by the hope of bringing Ori home and ensuring the safety of all those affected by the broader conflict. The world watches closely as diplomatic channels continue to seek progress and a path toward peace and release.