Orna and Ronen Neutra, the parents of hostage Omer Neutra, met yesterday (Thursday) with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging immediate action from the international body to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza. The couple represented the families of 58 hostages still being held by Hamas.
During the meeting, the Neutras raised concerns over the UN’s lack of practical engagement with the families’ plight, stressing the urgent need for a dedicated mechanism to address the hostage issue. They emphasized to Guterres that these abductions are a global concern that should deeply trouble the international community.
In response, the UN Secretary-General committed to appointing a special envoy to coordinate efforts on the hostage issue. The envoy will be tasked with liaising between UN member states, agencies, and the families, in order to advance the rights of the victims and raise awareness around the issue.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Shelly Aviv Yeini, head of the International Legal Department at the The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, along with senior officials from the Secretary-General’s office.
