Hostage families shared harrowing testimony at the UN, urging swift action to save their loved ones from Hamas captivity.

Relatives of hostages held in Gaza demanded that the United Nations intervene for the release of their loved ones in video statements at the Human Rights Council on Tuesday. The statements were presented during the Council’s September session under the agenda item concerning enforced or involuntary disappearances.

Liran Berman, representing the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, said, “My life is on hold, I exist only as the brother of two hostages,” referring to Gali and Ziv Berman, who were taken on October 7.

Liran Berman, representing the IJL, spoke about his siblings, Gali and Ziv Berman. Credit: Hostages Families Forum

Robbed of health, hope, and humanity

“Gali and Ziv were torn apart, held in darkness, denied food, medicine, and dignity,” Berman said. “Each day in captivity robs them of health, hope, and humanity.”

He urged UN member states to act. “The world has failed them for two birthdays,” he said. “Use every tool, every form of pressure, every channel of diplomacy to demand their release.”

The session marked a rare opportunity for the families to present their cases directly to the international body. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum coordinated the release of the statements.

Ilay David, representing the World Jewish Congress, addressed the condition of his brother, Evyatar David. “Last month, Hamas published another video of my younger brother, being emaciated, a human skeleton, buried alive in the tunnels of Gaza,” he said. “Evyatar was barely able to move, barely able to speak, because Hamas brought him to a near-death situation because of malnutrition.”

“Hamas used my brother as a tool in their twisted and cruel propaganda, and he may die because of that.”

Ilay David, speaking for the World Jewish Congress, addressed the condition of his brother. Credit: Hostages Families Forum.

David called on the international community to ensure that humanitarian aid entering Gaza reaches the hostages. “The Red Cross has told us countless times that they can’t do anything to reach the hostages because Hamas wouldn’t allow it to happen,” he said.

“The world must guarantee that the living hostages in Gaza will survive the negotiations until we have a resolution.”