Gal Piechowicz, an Israeli mother of three, is making a heartfelt plea to the international community to help bring home the children who are being held captive by Hamas. Among the hostages is Gal’s youngest son’s best friend, 11-year-old Gal Goldstein. The Israel Defense Forces believe that Hamas has taken 229 hostages, including at least 20 children, during their surprise attack on October 7th. Piechowicz suspects that Gal Goldstein and three other members of his family are among those being held captive.
In an emotional interview, Piechowicz expressed her desire for Gal and the other children to return home safely. She called on the world to unite in their efforts to bring them back, emphasizing that children should never be used as pawns in political games. The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated after the terrorist group launched thousands of rockets from Gaza and invaded southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians.
To raise awareness about the children held captive in Gaza, teddy bears representing the hostages were displayed in Tel Aviv. Some of these bears were marked with fake blood, symbolizing the suffering and injustice faced by these innocent children. Piechowicz, who has close friends whose children are among the hostages, urged people to join their demand for the safe return of these children.
Piechowicz, who was in Kibbutz Dorot near the Gaza-Israel border when the attack occurred, described the sense of fear and unease that gripped the community. As the magnitude of the terrorist attack became evident, she reached out to friends and assisted in the evacuation of neighbors. The stories of Hamas’ brutality that she heard horrified her, with reports of babies being taken from their mothers’ arms and children being subjected to torture and abuse.
Fleeing to Tel Aviv with her two children, Piechowicz continued to learn about the fate of family and friends affected by the attack. Initially believing that six close friends, the Goldstein family, had been killed, she later discovered that Gal and two of his siblings, along with their mother, were suspected to have been kidnapped by Hamas but were still alive. Sadly, Gal’s father and eldest child did not survive the attack.
Piechowicz fondly recalled the close bond between Gal and her son Ron, describing Gal as a funny and special kid. She expressed her love for all the Goldstein children and spoke highly of Gal’s sister, Agam, whom she described as the “queen of the universe.” Piechowicz expressed her heartbreak over the fact that their lives would be forever changed by this traumatic experience.
While Hamas has released four hostages, they have stated that they cannot release more until a ceasefire agreement is reached. Piechowicz, overwhelmed by the situation, is doing everything she can to fight for the safe return of the children. She wants her own children to know that she would have fought for them in the same way.
In conclusion, Gal Piechowicz’s plea for the safe return of children held hostage by Hamas highlights the urgency and importance of the situation. As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, it is crucial for the international community to unite and take action to ensure the well-being and freedom of these innocent children.
