The Hamas massacre deeply wounded Israel. The country fears for the hostages in Gaza and is determined to eliminate Hamas. But the time window is closing. A report.
Omer Wenkert is missing. His family has missed him since October 7th. Friends of his have been coming to the square in front of the Tel Aviv art museum for weeks. Daily. A long Saturday table honors the hostages in the Gaza Strip. The table is richly set with plates, cutlery, wine glasses and children’s cups. But 240 chairs are free. One seat for every person Hamas kidnapped from Israel.
On Friday, the terrorist organization released 13 Israeli women and children as part of a ceasefire, with more to follow, for a total of 50 in the first installment. The torment also ended for ten Thai hostages and one Filipino. But the others remain, for now, in the clutches of radical Islamists.
The Saturday banquet table with 240 chairs in Tel Aviv. Imago/Debbie Hill
Romy and Aviv hold a sign representing their friend Omer Wenkert. You are 22 years old. Just like him. They have known each other since they were school children. They laughed and celebrated together, supported each other and listened to each other. A clique that has been present through thick and thin in the small town of Gedera, south of Tel Aviv.