‘Joy, relief – and Hamas tactics on show’
With some 120 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity, Ryvchin was emphatic: "We will not stop praying and calling for their release."
As news spread about the Israeli raid that rescued four of the more than 120 hostages still held by Hamas since its barbaric attacks of October 7, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin spoke about “tears of joy in Jewish households” around Australia.
Expressing the community’s elation and relief at the rescue of Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv after 245 days in captivity, Ryvchin told a media conference on Sunday, “For so long, we’d hoped and prayed that they will be home and safe”.
He said the location at which the hostages were rescued – Palestinian family homes – “says everything we need to know about Hamas’ tactics that are seeking to unleash maximum pain and devastation”.
Argamani’s rescue, more than eight months after she was abducted by Hamas terrorists on a motorbike from the Supernova music festival, “particularly touched our community”, noting Argamani’s gravely ill mother has been granted her wish to see her daughter.
With some 120 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity, Ryvchin was emphatic: “We will not stop praying and calling for their release.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said, “We are immensely relieved by the safe return of Noa, Almog, Andrey and Shlomi.
“Their release is a testament to the relentless efforts of the IDF and the unwavering commitment to return all hostages to their families – a commitment underlined by the tragic loss of [Chief Inspector] Armon Zamora, [a counter-terrorism commander] who was killed during the operation.
“This war started when Hamas invaded Israel on October 7 and murdered over 1000 people before taking hostage 250 innocents. It will end when the hostages come home and Hamas surrenders. We pray for that day to come.”
Expressing “relief and gratitude”, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said, “Their rescue in the densely-populated area of Gaza required intense planning, and the results demonstrate the dedication, exceptional skill and courage of the Israeli security forces. Sadly, we mourn the tragic loss of Armon Zamora during the operation.
“The war will end with the return of all hostages and the surrender of Hamas. There should be more pressure from Western allies, including Australia, to demand Hamas surrenders all remaining hostages and agree to end hostilities permanently.”
A spokesperson for Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated, “We want to see all hostages released, civilians protected, and parties agree to the ceasefire proposal presented by President Biden.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said that “the courageous Israeli military operation which recently saved the lives of four Israeli hostages provides hope – a human triumph and reminder of the strength of the Jewish spirit”.
Liberal Senator Dave Sharma said, “I can’t imagine what they have been through – it was really heart-warming to see them reunited with their families.”
Meanwhile, Greens leader Adam Bandt repeated his call for Australian sanctions against Israel, stating, “All the political prisoners should be released, and I hope that the government will also make comments on the reported one-to-two hundred Palestinians who have been killed over this period as well.”
comments