Tel Aviv, Israel — It's been 65 long days since 21-year-old Omer Shem Tov was abducted. Taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, Omer remains one of the 138 captives still held in Gaza. His family clings to hope, keeping his room just as he left it—messy and full of life.
We visited Omer's parents at the Hostage Family Assistance Center in Tel Aviv. The waiting is agonizing, but they're not giving up. \"Every day without him feels like an eternity,\" his mother shared, her eyes reflecting both pain and determination.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), from October 7 to December 19, over 19,600 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives. In Israel, more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed. The humanitarian crisis deepens as 1.9 million Gazans have fled their homes, seeking safety amidst the turmoil.
The Shem Tov family, like many others, is caught in the crossfire of a conflict they never asked for. Their story is a powerful reminder of the human lives impacted behind the headlines.
As we left their home, Omer's father expressed a sentiment shared by many: \"We just want our son back. No parent should have to go through this.\" 🙏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
