As the Israel-Hamas war resumes after a weeklong cease-fire that saw the release of more than 100 hostages, one family is voicing their concern for a loved one among those still held captive.
Ofir Weinberg spoke with KNX News reporter Margaret Carrero about her cousin Itai Svirsky, who she says is alive and must be saved.
"He wasn't injured during the attack, but his mental state is very, very, very bad. He watched his mother being murdered, and then he was taken in captivity," said Weinberg.
She said Svirsky has been captive for 56 days, and all of the hostages that were with him have been released, so he is now alone.
Weinberg and her sister, Naama, say their cousin is a sensitive and kind man who has devoted his life to helping others.
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They are concerned for his wellbeing not only as a hostage but because he believes his entire family has been murdered, "He thinks that he has no family to return to," Weinberg said, which could have a significant impact on his mental state.
Weinberg said they need the public's help to communicate the dire situation in Gaza "Because this is a humanitarian crisis. This is a human rights issue."
"I will not rest, and I will not continue my life until he is back and all of the other hostages are back," Weinberg said.
She said this fight is not about sides, and anyone who believes in human rights should stand with them in their fight.
Itay Raviv, whose 78-year-old great uncle and other loved ones were taken from a kibbutz where his family has lived for decades, agrees, saying, "This is the number one human rights issue at the moment."
Raviv said during the October 7 attack by Hamas, his great uncle's son was murdered while he, his wife, their daughter, and their only grandson were kidnapped.
Last Friday, three of the family members were set free, a happy moment that Raviv said cannot be complete until his great uncle and the rest of the hostages are released.
"As a young man," Raviv said, "it's difficult to watch only women and children being released because men suffer too, and men have feelings too, and we must continue doing everything in our power - all of us, everyone is watching, everyone is reading to do everything to release all the hostages and bring them home as quickly as possible."
Raviv described his great uncle as a modest and humble person. He also says they know from testimonies of hostages who were with him that he's getting more and more depressed seeing those with him being released while he stays behind.
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