For the second time since the escalation of conflict, Pope Francis met with Israeli family members of people kidnapped on October 7 last year.
Siblings and parents brought pictures of their family members. One of them was a father who gave the Pope a necklace made for his son, Omri, who is still captive in Gaza—the inscription reads “Bring Omri home.”
It is a memento for the hostages. There is heart, my son's heart in the house.
The father explained to Pope Francis that he has been growing his beard since his son was captured six months ago.
At least 130 people are still held hostage in Gaza half a year after Hamas attacked a musical festival in Israel.
In November 2023, the Pope held private audiences with both families of Hamas hostages and relatives of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the last six months, about 120 hostages have been released by Hamas.
KG
