For the first time in Austria – Government Leaders received Hamas -Geisel Tal Shaurham

“I can assure you that Austria will not leave anything behind to ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages,” said Stocker. You will “do everything and work hard until all hostages are free”, Meinl Reisinger also promised.

“Still too many hostages in Hamas’s hands”
Austria had campaigned intensively for the release of SHOHAM at all diplomatic levels. Meinl Reisinger praised the previous commitment, but noted that “there are still too many hostages in Hamas’ hands”. Shaoham arrived by his wife Adi and her two children (daughter Yahel, 4, and son Naveh, 9), as well as other hostage members and Israeli ambassador David Roet.

Genstick -members thank Austria
Ilan Dalal, the father of a hostage who lived for months at SHOHAM in a small, dark tunnel under Gaza and is still there, thanked Austria for his diplomatic efforts. Other family members held photos of Guy Gilboa Dalal (22) and Evyatar David (24), who are still hostile to Hamas. SHOHAM had described her as his “brothers”. “Your families have been waiting for her loved ones for far too long,” said Stocker.

As the federal chancellery announced, a lunch with State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) and Holocaust Survivor is planned after the meeting. On Friday, SHOHAM also gave a speech at the UN in Vienna. Meeting with federal president Alexander van der Bellen and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (Spö) are also planned.

Grandmother born in Vienna
The grandmother of Shaham was born in Vienna and fled to the national socialists in the 1930s. The 40-year-old received Austrian citizenship only a few years ago. SHOHAM has never been to Austria. The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 did not lead to a planned journey with its parents. That day he was abducted in the Gaza Strip with his wife, two children and other female family members. Three of the twelve family members in Kibbutz Be’eri were murdered.

The women and children were released in November 2023 as part of an agreement between Israel and Hamas. Until his release, Shaham remained in the unclear about her destiny. Thanks to them, he had the power to survive for so long, he said. “It’s a routine: eat, stay with strength and rest then and sleep. As long until someone comes out of us.”

SHOHAM has only released after 16 months
SHOHAM itself was released only 16 months after his kidnapping, on 22 February, as part of a cease -the -Fire and Hostage Agreement between Israel and Hamas. It was stopping -the fire a few days later. According to Israeli information, there are still 24 hostages in the Gaza Strip, plus the corpses of 35 deported.