Israeli-Hungarian hostage Omri Miran could be released soon by Hamas

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel offers hope for the release of hostages, including Omri Miran, a Hungarian hostage held captive for over a year. While Miran’s name is absent from the initial release list, the deal could pave the way for his eventual return.

Ceasefire agreement

Index reports that a significant breakthrough was announced on 15 January as Qatar, the United States, and the Hamas organisation revealed a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel following extensive negotiations. This deal, which halts hostilities in the Gaza Strip after over 18 months, includes the release of hostages in a phased exchange programme. Notably, the agreement, signed in Doha with the involvement of the United States and Qatar, was approved by Israel’s security cabinet after intense deliberations.

In the first six-week phase, 33 individuals, including women, children, and elderly hostages, will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, while Israeli forces will withdraw from key areas in Gaza. This initiative allows displaced Palestinians to return home and facilitates daily humanitarian aid deliveries. Future phases aim to secure the release of all remaining hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza. The fate of the Hungarian hostage among those detained remains a critical aspect of this unfolding humanitarian effort.

Hungarian hostage could return to his family

Hungary is closely tied to the Israel-Hamas hostage crisis through Omri Miran, a Hungarian-Israeli citizen who has been held captive by Hamas for over a year. He was kidnapped from his home in Nahal Oz. While the recent Israel-Hamas agreement has sparked hope, Foreign Minister PĂ©ter SzijjártĂł confirmed that the Hungarian hostage’s name isn’t on the list of the 33 hostages to be freed in the first phase. As a younger man, he doesn’t meet the criteria for initial release. The Hungarian hostage’s return will depend on completing this phase and moving forward with further negotiations. FM SzijjártĂł writes in a Facebook post:

The hostage and ceasefire agreement in Gaza is very good news, as it will bring the prospect of a peaceful life for the people of a war-torn region of the world closer, and will have a very positive impact on global security.

We express our respect and appreciation to the American, Egyptian and Qatari diplomats who have been involved in the negotiations.

The fact that dozens of hostages have been living separated from their families for more than 15 months is unacceptable, and we call on all parties to the agreement to implement all stages of the agreement in full.

This will finally pave the way for the return to their families of the hostages of Hungarian nationality who are still in captivity.

Taken from his home

According to the report of The Times of Israel, on 7 October 2023, Miran was abducted by Hamas gunmen from his Nahal Oz home after they smashed a window and forced their way inside. The family, including Miran’s wife, Lishay Lavi, and their two young daughters, were held at gunpoint and eventually separated. The Hungarian hostage was taken alongside another family member, while his wife and daughters were later rescued by IDF soldiers. Miran’s last known appearance was in a video released by Hamas in April 2024, where he expressed hope for his release. The Hungarian hostage dedicated his life to mentoring struggling children.

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