ATLANTA — A ceasefire deal could be close between Hamas and Israel.
ABC News is reporting a possible breakthrough after a diplomatic blitz this weekend.
Channel 2′s Candace McCowan heard from former hostages and family members who are in Atlanta on Monday.
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The families of the hostages knew this would be a key week in the possible negotiations and what they hope is the release of their loved ones.
While they waited for news, they continued their work of making sure the stories of their loved ones weren’t forgotten.
Aviva Siegel was held hostage by Hamas for 51 days after the October 7 attacks.
Her husband Keith is still being held hostage.
“It was the worst thing. The worst thing any human being could go through,” she said. “They tortured Keith and they tortured the girls that I was with. That was one of the things that was just too hard for me to handle because I saw the fear in their face.”
They’re memories that she tries to push to the side, but feels are important to share.
She is one of several who spoke on a panel at the International Lion of Judah conference in downtown Atlanta on Monday.
Yarden Gonen’s little sister Roni is still being held captive.
“We’re always hopeful you know. I have a necklace on my neck written in Hebrew. It means ‘hope,’” she said.
Even as they speak to the crowd, they know this is a pivotal week.
With just days left before the changing of presidential administrations in the US, they knew these days would be vital in the fight to see their loved ones released.
“And if you don’t get them out now, it might be too late. So we need to get them out,” Siegel said. “A deal needs to be on the table all the time and they need to get out.”
They’re focus on what they hope will soon be a reunion.
“We have to. We have no other choice. We have to for them, for her, for my little sister,” Gonen said.
“I do know that Keith is alive and that he is doing everything he can to stay alive,” Siegel said.
They say they will continue to share their loved ones’ stories and make sure that people hear directly from family members about what has happened.
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