‘We are still in 7 October’: Britons whose relatives were killed or taken hostage give news conference
Britons whose relatives were killed by Hamas or taken hostage in Gaza are holding a news conference in London.
Steve Brisley is the first to speak, after his sister and two nieces were killed on 7 October by Hamas, while his sister’s husband – and his brother – were taken hostage.
He says that as far as he knows, his brother-in-law is still alive in captivity.
“I am tired. So, so tired,” he says, adding it feels like the “horrors” have been forgotten by the public.
“The news cycle moves on and public shock dissipates. It seems impossible to me that they have forgotten the cold-blooded brutal murders of a dental nurse and her two teenage daughters, all three of whom were British citizens.”
Ayelet Svatitzky speaks next, explaining one of her brothers was killed on 7 October, while her mother and another brother were taken hostage.
Her mother was released after 49 days, while her brother remained in captivity until it was confirmed in June he had died after five months.
“A month ago, I stood in front of my brothers’ graves, one next to the other, and I said my final goodbye.”
She says: “I’m here pleading for everyone not to forget what had happened to us on October 7th. Not to forget 101 hostages still in Gaza. Not to forget the horrors and the torture that they are going through.”
Sharone Lifschitz tells reporters both her parents were taken hostage. Her mother has returned home, but they do not know if her 84-year-old father is alive.
“We are still in the 7th of October. We are fighting for the lives of our loved ones that are there.”
