U.S. hostage families have a message for Israeli PM Netanyahu

Details of a deal are still being worked out but could include a six-week cease-fire and the release of hostages in three stages, Biden said in May.

If a three-stage deal materializes, Polin’s son Hersh Goldberg-Polin could be among first to be released because he was injured. He was recorded on video being loaded onto a pickup truck at the Supernova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, with his arm blown off in Hamas’ attack.

Goldberg-Polin is among some 120 hostages who remain held captive by Hamas, which is designated a terror group by the U.S. and European Union. Appearing on NBC News, his parents wore the number 291, representing the number of days he’s been missing, written in black marker and taped onto their shirts.

“It might take some time, but every one of these 120 people has to come home,” said Polin’s wife, Rachel Goldberg-Polin.

Daniel Neutra was among several families who met with Netanyahu on Monday and were assured a deal to free their loved ones was imminent.

Neutra, who met with congressional leaders Tuesday, said the last time he spoke with his older brother Omer was Oct. 6.

Omer, who grew up in the U.S. and served in the Israeli army, was looking forward to spending a weekend with friends, Neutra said. He was taken captive hours later.

“I agree with people calling for a cease-fire,” Neutra said. “All the death has to end.”

Neutra’s parents recently shared Omer’s story at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, but Neutra said both Biden and Harris have been unequivocal in their support of the five American Israeli hostages.

“People are dying all the time in captivity, and we can’t continue this process on their backs,” he said. “We need to finish this right now.”

If Netanyahu was expecting an easy visit to the U.S. capital, he will not necessarily get it, said former hostage Aviva Siegel, who was held for 51 days and lost more than 20 pounds during captivity. She worries Netanyahu is more concerned with wiping out Hamas than with securing the release of hostages, including her husband of 43 years.

Siegel supports a cease-fire.