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Tel Aviv – Nimrod Cohen, a 20-year-old Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, has relayed a message of hope to his family through recently released captives, according to a report by Israel’s N12 news site on Wednesday.
Cohen’s father, Yehuda Cohen, shared that his son had asked the released hostages to tell his family, “I’m okay. Don’t worry about me. I love you.”
The message, though brief, provided much-needed reassurance to Cohen’s family, who have been awaiting news of his condition since his capture on October 7, 2023.
“He is alive and well”
“There is no doubt—he will return,” Yehuda Cohen told N12. “He will come back alive and well. This past week, we received signs of life from two hostages who were held with him for eight months in what are considered tolerable conditions within the tunnels.”
The family has found comfort in reports that Cohen has been able to maintain a daily routine and preserve his resilience despite his prolonged captivity.
Yehuda Cohen confirmed that he had personally spoken with a family member of one of the released hostages, who conveyed a direct message from Nimrod: “He’s okay, don’t worry. He loves [you all].”
“I understand that he is in good condition,” Yehuda Cohen added. “We received confirmation through debriefings with returning hostages that he knows how to keep himself together during this time. He also knows that the end is very near.”
Tensions Rise Over Hostage Negotiations
The latest update on Cohen’s condition comes as tensions mount over Israel’s handling of hostage negotiations. Yehuda Cohen expressed sharp criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of undermining Israel’s security agencies.
“Let me be clear about something – the Prime Minister has publicly spat on the heads of Shin Bet and Mossad, but they can’t defend themselves against his attacks; only he gets to do the attacking,” Cohen said.
“And now he’s appointed Ron Dermer, who just three months ago was hanging around in Florida telling everyone that all our hostages are dead.”
The Cohen family, along with many other families of hostages, have voiced frustration over what they perceive as government inaction.
Yehuda Cohen suggested that external figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and businessman Steve Witkoff, now play a more significant role in advocating for the hostages’ return than the Israeli government itself.
“The fate of the hostages no longer lies in the hands of the Israeli government,” Cohen stated. “Trump and Witkoff are basically representing us against our own government – a government that has betrayed us.”
With no clear resolution in sight, families of hostages continue to push for diplomatic solutions while relying on messages from released captives as their only source of hope.
The Israeli government, under increasing public pressure, has yet to announce any significant breakthroughs in securing the release of those still held by Hamas.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members