READ: Father of hostage writes open letter to Trump

(ZVIKA MOR / Israel Hayom) — Dear President-elect Donald Trump, the next leader of the United States of America,

As you assume once again the mantle of the presidency and leadership of the free world, I write to you with an urgent purpose.

The world watches you today with a shared conviction that good must triumph over global evil. Your previous tenure demonstrated that appeasement of malevolent forces serves only to embolden them. As a fellow believer in the Republican tradition, you understand that national strength alone can safeguard a nation’s citizens.

In your victory speech, you mentioned your family and their support throughout your campaign and beyond. I wanted to tell you a bit about my family and about my son Eitan, who is still being held captive in Gaza.

We live in Kiryat Arba, near Hebron—a name I know resonates in America, where several cities share this biblical designation. Each day brings renewed anxiety for Eitan’s safety, tempered with profound pride in his actions.

When terror struck on Oct. 7, he chose to help others escape rather than seek his own safety, saving dozens before being taken captive in the afternoon hours. This exemplifies his character—Eitan has always been someone who assists others, whether through attentive listening, concrete action, or wise counsel.

Our family’s sole wish is to have Eitan home before his captivity reaches 400 days. His young sisters, aged five and eight, maintain a vigil of hope, decorating our front door with drawings awaiting his return.

We understand the weight of your influence and the impact of your policies. At this critical juncture, we need you to fulfill your pledge to help secure the hostages’ release. Every previous attempt has ended in failure.

Hamas continues its pattern of rejection, seemingly intent on maximizing our anguish while demanding concessions beyond Israel’s capacity to give.

Each negotiating delegation raised our hopes, leaving us fixed to news broadcasts and mobile phones, desperate for any sign of progress. Yet Hamas remained intransigent, amplifying our family’s torment with each refusal.

The time has come to forge a new path for the hostages. The time has come for Israel to dictate the terms of any arrangement with Hamas from a position of strength and power, ensuring that our hostages will be the last hostages in history.

Surrendering to Hamas is also not an option. This is why we need you, your policy, and the strength you know how to project in the face of global evil. May God bless you and America.

Originally published by Israel Hayom.