Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife, Sara Netanyahu, has appealed to Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, mother of Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar, seeking the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
In a letter, Netanyahu said, “I reach out to you with a heart full of hope and plea for your invaluable support.”
“Ramzan, a time for compassion and generosity, reminds us of the strength we hold when we come together to uphold the values of peace and humanity.”
“It is in this spirit of unity and shared human values that I wish to address a matter of great urgency and importance – the plight of the Israeli abducted and held by Hamas in Gaza.”
“Woman to woman, it’s imperative to address that among the hostages, 19 women are enduring unimaginable hardships,” Netanyahu underscored in her appeal.
“Reports of sexual abuse and rape are horrifying, and such acts against women cannot be ignored or tolerated. It is a call to action that transcends political boundaries and speaks to our shared humanity and values.”
“The pain of their families, who await their return, resonates deeply within our hearts, reminding us of the preciousness of life and the importance of coming together to protect it,” the letter stated.
“I urge you, in the spirit of Ramzan, to leverage your significant influence to work towards the release of the Israeli hostages,” she added.
“We cannot remain silent or stand back when the dignity and safety of women are at stake.”
Netanyahu’s appeal comes amid renewed efforts in recent weeks to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar actively mediating to reach this.
Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7, 2023 has resulted in more than 31,000 civilian deaths, infrastructure destruction, and charges of “genocide” against Tel Aviv.
