After Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan, two families are waiting to reunite with loved ones who were held hostage.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Rom Bravlaski was working as a security guard at the Nova Music Festival when Hamas attacked. He saved the lives of others before he was taken captive. In July, the group Islamic Jihad released a video of Rom looking weak and starving.
His aunt, Anat Braslavski, lives in Los Angeles. She told KNX News’ Emily Valdez that Rom’s name was on a list of hostages who are still alive.
“So, once when I saw that list, that's when I start to really believe that he's coming back, and we are so happy, and also the jihads say that they agree [on] everything and they're going to release him,” she said. “We are so happy. You know what? It's unbelievable. The feelings I cannot even describe. It's unreal.”
Anat is heading to Israel, so she can be there when Rom is finally released.
But Yehuda Cohen, the father of Nimrod Cohen, an IDF soldier who was taken hostage in Gaza, told Valdez he’s holding off on celebrating until he sees Nimrod in person with his own eyes.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
“Mixed feelings in terms of things are moving forward,” he said. “Of course, we knew it would happen once we heard the declaration last Monday, a week and a half ago. We are in a distance of days. There's a kind of a void. What are we going to meet after two years, not seeing Nimrod, not knowing exactly his condition, not knowing exactly his feelings firsthand. In what physical, mental, psychological condition Nimrod would be, and what efforts we have to do to bring him back to normal life again?
He said he’s also concerned that Hamas may do something to sabotage the deal at the last minute
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok