A California family waits in suspense for the release of their nephew held hostage in the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
Amit Shani’s family says the teenager was kidnapped in the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 after witnessing the destruction of his village and the death of his classmates.
Just before Shani, an Israeli citizen, was taken hostage in his home at Kibbutz Be’eri in Israel, the teenager was able to send frantic text messages to his loved ones and friends.
He has since spent his 16th birthday as a hostage and his family is desperate for information about him.
Tarzana, California resident Elle Benami, a cousin of Shani’s father, Nir, told The Post that her family is frantically waiting more than 40 days later.
“We knew [he would not be] It was released on Friday and it is disappointing, so we have been very anxious and scared,” Benami said.
Amit Shani, 16, was kidnapped by Hamas in front of his mother and younger sisters at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. Courtesy of Nir Shani
“We’re trying not to think about it, but every day he’s there, he’s in danger.
“Maybe I’m still bound in the dark, cold and afraid. Maybe you haven’t had a chance to shower for weeks and the hostages are defecating and urinating on themselves.
“We also don’t know if he has been injured and what the conditions are there… if he is somewhere horrendous and infested with rats.”
Other families are also waiting anxiously after Israel and Hamas negotiated a four-day pause in fighting.
Amit Shani, left, with his father Nir. Hamas has held the teenager hostage in Gaza for more than 40 days. Courtesy of Elle Benami
The agreement between Israel and Hamas began a ceasefire on Friday and Hamas released 24 hostages: 13 Israelis, 10 Thai citizens and one Filipino citizen.
They are the first of approximately 240 hostages captured by Hamas during the terrorist attack. As part of the deal, Israel will exchange up to 150 Palestinian prisoners.
While they haven’t heard anything about Shani yet, Benami said the entire family is trying to remain hopeful.
Amit Shani with his grandmother and little cousin during happier times. Courtesy of Elle Benami
He said Shani was with his mother and two younger sisters at Kibbutz Be’eri when Hamas terrorists entered their home around noon on October 7.
“He was able to send text messages on WhatsApp and for about half an hour he was asking for help,” Benami said. “He texted me: ‘They’re in my neighborhood, shooting at houses and now they’re trying to break into my house!’ Please, please…we need help!’”
Amit Shani, center, with his family. Courtesy of Nir Shani
Benami said that when the Hamas terrorists finally broke into the house, they took Shani and tied her hands.
Shani’s mother and two younger sisters were also detained, but there was not enough room in the truck for them.
“So instead, these Hamas terrorists broke the girls’ necklaces, held knives to their throats and took pictures of them like that,” Benami said. “They took Amit away and basically it was like he was just meat and they threw him in the truck.”
The Hamas terrorists made the women and girls walk next to the truck, but after a while, the terrorists stopped and let them go.
A photograph of the family home in Kibbutz Be’eri after the Hamas attack on October 7, where 16-year-old Amit Shani was taken hostage. Courtesy of Nir Shani
“The last thing Amit saw was his two sisters surrounded by seven terrorists armed with guns and knives,” Benami said. “I don’t think he knows they’re alive.”
Shani’s father, Nir Shani, was in another house when his son was taken hostage. Nir almost died after terrorists set fire to his own home, Benami said.
Benami said Nir suffered severe smoke inhalation but was rushed to a hospital where he recovered.
They are now waiting for news on the whereabouts of the 16-year-old.
“Technically we don’t know if Amit is alive, but we are told his name is among the other hostages who will hopefully be released in the next batch,” Benami said. “We assume he is alive, but we also don’t know what condition he is in.”
Amit Shani, 16, loves to surf and is an excellent student, his relatives said. Courtesy of Elle Benami
Shani’s cousin, Ela, 14, also lived in Kibbutz Be’eri, but was able to escape and survive the attack.
Ela Shani said she remembers calling her cousin Amit two days before the Oct. 7 attack and talking about making a barbecue.
Ela Shani and her family were able to stay in a “safe room” in their home during the attack. She felt helpless when she read her cousin’s WhatsApp messages in which she asked for help.
Other teenagers from the Kibbutz also wrote in the text thread, saying that their parents were killed by the terrorists. Two of Shani’s best friends also died.
In a moving video, Ala Shani said his cousin celebrated his 16th birthday as a Hamas hostage in Gaza.
“Amit is very talented,” the teenager said. “He likes to run, surf. He is an excellent student and is very intelligent. Amit is one of the funniest people I have ever met and I always enjoy spending time with him.
“Right now I miss him more than anything. Please help us bring him back safely. Bring him alive to us.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn