Herut Nimrodi, the mother of Tamir Nimrodi, an Israeli man abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, remains in a state of uncertainty regarding her son’s fate, stating she has received no confirmation of whether he is alive or dead. Despite the overwhelming fear for her son’s well-being, she holds on to the hope that a peace plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump could eventually lead to the release of all hostages held in Gaza.
In an interview, Ms. Nimrodi shared her emotional struggle, fearing the worst for her son, who is a non-combat soldier. She expressed her belief that her son is still alive, stating, “he’s still hanging on” nearly two years after his abduction. Tamir’s case is particularly haunting because he is reportedly the only Israeli hostage whose family has not been informed of his status.
Significance of Trump’s peace plan
The peace initiative put forward by Trump appears to be gaining traction, with indirect negotiations anticipated to continue between Hamas and Israel, aimed at concluding the conflict and facilitating the return of hostages. Ms. Nimrodi noted that previous efforts to forge an agreement had faltered, but this time feels different. “There is real hope that this is the one, this is the last deal,” she stated.
She emphasized the importance of releasing all hostages—both living and deceased—during the initial phase of the peace plan. “This is huge, this is a blessing for us” she remarked, highlighting the urgent need for families to gain closure regarding their loved ones. “Even the families that got the message that their loved ones are deceased, they don’t accept it because they need proof,” she explained.
As of now, Tamir remains one of 47 individuals still held in Gaza, with only 20 of them believed to be alive.
The impact of uncertainty
Herut Nimrodi vividly recounted the last moments she shared with her son, recalling a video posted on social media during his abduction. “My youngest daughter—she was 14 at the time—came screaming that she had seen her brother being abducted on Instagram,” she said. The disturbing image of her son, barely dressed and appearing terrified as he was taken away, has haunted her since that day.
She described the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on her family, stating, “People ask me: ‘It’s been two years, how are you holding on?’ And I say, ‘It doesn’t feel like two years. It feels like one long exhausting day.’ ” The attack on October 7 resulted in the deadliest day in Israel’s history, with around 1,200 fatalities attributed to Hamas and other groups, alongside 251 individuals taken hostage.
Ms. Nimrodi shared that on the morning of his abduction, Tamir had reached out to her with a message about the relentless rocket attacks. “He said ‘there are rockets and it’s non-stop’” was the last communication she received before he was taken.
Her advocacy for her son’s return has included participation in rallies alongside other families of hostages. Yet there are moments when the weight of her heartache becomes overwhelming, stating, “There are also days when I can’t get out of bed.”
With the renewed focus on the peace plan, she has joined thousands in public demonstrations, wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with her son’s smiling face. “I believe in this deal, and I believe that Trump will not let this slip away,” she declared, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “do the right thing—bring the hostages home and bring peace to this region.”
As she tries to find rest, the image of her son’s terrified expression during his abduction lingers in her mind, exemplifying the relentless nature of her hope and anguish. “To hope for two years—it’s absolutely exhausting,” she concluded.