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Israeli hostage's niece: 'Life shall overcome the darkness'

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With the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas set to come into effect on Sunday and a hostage release deal approved, there is hope for families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023.

Efrat Machikawa, a cultural diplomacy expert, is the niece of Gadi Moses, who has been held hostage in Gaza since then. 

Speaking to CGTN from southern Israel, the former Israeli Embassy attache and a prominent figure in her community, Machikawa shared her experience.

'Filled with joy'

Her family, like many others, has been living with the constant uncertainty and pain of not knowing whether their loved ones would return home. When news of a potential deal to release hostages surfaced, Machikawa's initial reaction was a mixture of hope and apprehension.

"The moment I heard there was something going on with them in Qatar and it seemed like a deal was coming up, I was almost filled with joy," she told CGTN Europe.

"I have to tell you, our joy will not be complete until we see all the hostages - including my uncle - here in Israel." 

Machikawa remains cautious and acknowledges, "talks are just talks and we are waiting for real deeds, to see them here in Israel."

Her uncle, Gadi Moses, is an internationally known agronomist and peace activist. 

"We really do not know how he is, and this is what's sad," Machikawa added. "The last thing we heard of him was December 19, 2023. He has turned 80 in captivity, and in March, he will be 81. So he is a very old man, and we have no idea how he's doing.

"Thinking about him there - torture, starvation, not seeing daylight - is really worrying," she said.

Family members of Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks, talk to the media in Tel Aviv. /Jack Guez/AFP
Family members of Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks, talk to the media in Tel Aviv. /Jack Guez/AFP

Family members of Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks, talk to the media in Tel Aviv. /Jack Guez/AFP

Machikawa's grief is compounded by the trauma her family has already endured. Several other relatives were abducted in the early days of the conflict but were later released. 

"There are good days and bad days," Machikawa said. "They're very, very brave, but they feel part of their hearts is still in Gaza with everybody else.

"That's very different from longing for somebody who has not been with us for such a period." 

'We will have to learn lessons'

Though the ceasefire is yet to come into effect, she is hopeful for long-lasting peace.

"I'm really, really glad this war will, I hope, be over for both sides," she said. "I think it was devastating and we will have to learn lessons. We will have to make sure to secure our border, but at the same time try to make this region more hopeful."

Despite the fact that it has been really bleak for her family, Machikawa clings to the belief that "life shall overcome the darkness" and this is what continues to drive her work for peace and justice.

"We need to focus on life rather than death, concentrate on growth rather than revenge." she said. "To build a future where people can collaborate, not fight - where growth takes the place of revenge. 

"It's very difficult to imagine because this story has not come to an end, but deep inside, I really do keep that sparkle - that life shall overcome the darkness."

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