Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, is asking Pope Francis to intervene and use his influence to demand the release of hostages being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In letter to the pope dated Sunday, Netanyahu said she was writing Francis not only as the wife of Israel’s prime minister, “but also as a mother and as a woman.”
“Your holiness, I ask for your personal intervention in this matter,” she wrote. “Please use your influence to demand the unconditional release (of) all the hostages without delay.”
Netanyahu said Hamas committed two war crimes by targeting civilians in Israel during its unprecedented Oct. 7 attack and hiding behind Gazans amid the Israeli response.
“But it also committed a third crime – kidnapping innocent hostages,” she wrote. “78 days after the atrocities, Hamas is still holding 129 men, women and children hostage.”
Netanyahu cited Noa Argamani, 25, who was kidnapped by Hamas from a music festival. Argamani’s mother is battling stage four cancer and appealed to Hamas in a video message last month to release her daughter so they can see each other one last time before she dies.
“I don’t know how much time I have left. I wish for the chance to see my Noa at home,” Argamani said. “Noa, I want to tell you if I don’t see you, please know we did everything we could to get you released. The whole world loves you.”
Netanyahu also urged Francis to demand the Red Cross visit the hostages and deliver vital aid, including medicine.
“So far, the Red Cross has failed to insist on these deliverables,” she said. “You(r) intervention could tilt the balance and save precious lives.”
Abhinav Thawait is a globe-trotting correspondent with a passion for international affairs. With a background in international relations, he offers a global perspective on the most pressing issues around the world. Abhinav’s curiosity takes his to the far corners of the earth, where he seeks to share untold stories and diverse viewpoints.
