An Israeli-American man, Sagui Dekel-Chen, is among the 33 hostages that Hamas is expected to release in a deal with Israel. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that 'every minute is crucial' in securing his son's release.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen revealed that he has not received any updates about his son for over a year, since the first wave of hostages was released by Hamas. He expressed concern for those who were left behind, many of whom were reportedly executed by the militant group.
At 36 years old, Sagui Dekel-Chen is a father of three, with one of his children being born while he was held captive. His daughter has only seen her father through a poster on the wall, highlighting the emotional toll of his prolonged absence.
The Dekel-Chen family expressed gratitude towards US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump for their roles in facilitating the deal with Hamas. Jonathan Dekel-Chen commended the Biden administration for laying the groundwork for the agreement and credited President-elect Trump for his direct involvement in bringing the negotiations to fruition.
Despite the progress made, Jonathan Dekel-Chen stressed the need for continued vigilance, particularly in the volatile Middle East region. He urged President Trump and his team to remain engaged in the situation, recognizing the ever-changing dynamics of the area.
