**Israeli Family’s Desperate Wait for Husband and Father**
Omri Miran, a 48-year-old Israeli man, has been held captive by Hamas in Gaza since October 2023. His family, particularly his wife Lishay, have been keeping him connected through WhatsApp messages, but the frequency of these updates is about to slow down.
Every time Omri opens his WhatsApp account for the first time after three weeks, he receives a barrage of messages from Lishay. These messages are a window into their family life, showcasing photos of their daughters, late-night musings by Lishay as she lies in bed, and snapshots of Israeli family life. The most recent message was sent over two months ago, and it’s the longest period since his abduction that there has been no contact.
**The Weight of Waiting**
Lishay began sending messages three weeks after Omri’s abduction on October 7, 2023. Since then, she has lost count of how many messages she has sent to her husband. Her WhatsApp chat with him is called “Notes to Omri.” In one of the messages, Lishay wrote about how their oldest daughter Roni said goodnight at the window, a ritual that has become increasingly difficult for Roni as she grows up without her father.
This year marks Omri’s second birthday in captivity. His family and friends are preparing to celebrate Passover, but it’s not a holiday of freedom for them. Lishay says, “I don’t really feel free. I don’t believe anyone in Israel could feel free.” The ceasefire agreement that was implemented in mid-January ended just two months later, reigniting the deepest fears for all hostage families.
**A Mother’s Resilience**
Lishay is steadfast in her belief that her husband will be returned, but it’s a difficult time of year. She has received messages from the couple’s oldest daughter Roni and their youngest daughter Lishay will turn 48 in a few months. They are now babies when Omri last saw them.
Omri’s birthday was marked by Family GiftFriday, but it also highlighted the significance of Passover for Jews. The holiday celebrates the biblical story of Exodus, where Moses led the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. Lishay says, “You know Pesach is a holiday of freedom.” But she doesn’t feel free; instead, she feels the weight of waiting.
**A Government‘s Promises**
Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that hostages would be returned and Israel’s enemies defeated. However, this promise has not yet translated into action. The ceasefire agreement that was implemented in mid-January ended just two months later, leaving families like Lishay’s with deep fears for their loved ones.
**A Hopeful but Resigned Tone**
Lishay does not condemn her government as some hostage family members have. Instead, she is “really furious” about the resumption of war and its impact on her family. She knows that Omri is a real person, more than just a hostage. When asked if they will wait another year for his release, Lishay says, “We’re going to wait another year? They can’t live there.”
Despite the uncertainty, Lishay remains hopeful that one day she will receive an update from Omri’s WhatsApp account. She knows it will happen someday and is steadfast in her belief that her husband will be returned.