On Feb. 5, the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) hosted a former Hamas hostage at an event aimed at raising funds and awareness for the hostages.
Families of some people still being held by Hamas were also guests at the event, held at the exchange in Ramat Gan. The former hostage, Danielle Aloni, told bourse members that on Oct. 7 she was kidnapped at gunpoint with her 6-year-old daughter, Emilia, from her sister’s home at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Aloni and her child were held hostage underground in Hamas tunnels in Gaza for 50 days. She said air, light, food, and sanitation were severely limited, and they were watched by armed Hamas guards all day and night. Aloni and Emilia were among 50 women and children released as part of a temporary ceasefire in November.
Two of the remaining 136 hostages are immediate family to IDE members: 20-year-old Edan Alexander, a soldier taken hostage from his post, and 80-year-old Yoram Metzger, kidnapped from his kibbutz. IDE members have lost nine family members in the Hamas attack and subsequent war in Gaza.
In a statement, IDE president Boaz Moldawsky said the event was held to express support for the families of the hostages and for bringing them home.
Top: The Israel Diamond Exchange building (photo courtesy of the Israeli Diamond Institute)
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