The uncle of a teenage girl who was freed by Hamas says the terrorist group violated an agreement regarding children not being separated from their mothers.
Yair Rotem, the uncle of Hila Rotem, a 13-year-old girl who was released from Hamas’ captivity on Saturday, expressed that Raya Rotem, Hila’s mother, “be returned home” as part of the agreement between Israel and Hamas, he told The Times of Israel. Yair’s words came after Hila told reporters she had previously been held in captivity with her mother and 9-year-old Emily Hand, who was initially believed to have been killed by Hamas. Rotem said Hamas claims that they did not know where Raya, 54, was.
“Hila returned without her mother and that is a clear violation of the agreement with Hamas,” Yair Rotem told the outlet. “We demand from Hamas and the mediators that Raya be returned home as they agreed, immediately.”
Hamas claims they released Hila Rotem without her mother Raya because they don't know where she is. But according to Hila, her mother was with her the entire time; Hamas separated them two days before Hila was released.@N12News pic.twitter.com/EzKq0JN96V
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 26, 2023
Yair added, “Hila told us she was in captivity together with her mother and Emily [Hand] until two days ago. We know she was in good condition and expect her to remain in good condition.”
Hila Rotem, her mother Raya, and Hand had been abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7 after the community of their Kibbutz Be’eri was attacked and roughly 10% of the people were left dead.
Hand had been attending a sleepover with Hila at the time that Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, leaving more than 1,400 people dead and more than 200 people taken as hostages. The girls, along with Raya Rotem, had been hiding in the safe room of their home when they were abducted.
Hila and Hand were released on Saturday as part of a group of 13 Israeli citizens and four Thai nationals. A day prior, the first group of hostages, 13 Israeli citizens, and 12 Thai nationals, was released by Hamas.
Seventeen hostages, including 14 Israelis and the first American citizen were released by Hamas on Sunday as part of a third group.
The release of the hostages comes after a four-day ceasefire agreement negotiated by the Qatari government had been agreed upon by Hamas and Israel.
“They were separated two days before the release,” Yair added. “She managed to give her mother a hug. Raya cried. It breaks your heart.”
Yair told the outlet that Hand had also confirmed Raya had been with them and that she had “looked after them.”
“I hope it will happen,” Yair said, expressing hope that Israel and Qatar would push for Raya to be released. “It’s part of the agreement. Hamas broke the agreement with complete disregard for what was agreed. There are Qatari and Egyptian mediators and I don’t know why they don’t check why Hamas isn’t keeping the agreement.”
