Killed or kidnapped — the unimaginable fate that befell 12 of Shira Havron’s relatives.
(Shira Havron, relative of hostages)
“It’s been hell on earth for our family, since October 7th obviously. We relive that day every day.”
When Hamas — classified a terror organisation by multiple countries — attacked Israel, including the kibbutz at Be’eri, they killed her aunt, two uncles and one of their caregivers. They then took nine of her family members hostage.
Feeling abandoned by the Israeli government, Shira Havron turned to Germany, where she also holds citizenship, to raise awareness of her family’s ordeal.
(Shira Havron, in Munich)
“And we expect Germany to do everything it can. Every channel of it.”
She also travelled to Brussels, to ask the European Parliament to help put pressure on Israel, to reach a hostage deal.
(Shira Havron, in Brussels)
“The fact we are here is a desperate act to ask for more help.”
Eight of Shira’s family — the women and children — were released during the "pause in fighting" deal of late November.
(Shira Havron)
"It was a miracle to see the people coming back from like hell, you know, almost. It was amazing. It was exciting. It was moving. It was unbelievable. It was surreal, because it was seeing them on screen on television with the rest of, you know, the people of Israel and maybe the world, you know. So, it was a moment, a very private moment, that became very public.”
But Tal Shoham, father of two of the released children, is still in Gaza.
(Shira Havron)
"I think the message now, or our goal now, is to keep going. Even though a lot of people are back, there are still a lot of people that haven't got back. My family got a gift, seeing some of my family back, but a lot of families didn't. They were still sitting and waiting and crying and shouting and fighting for their loved ones."
(DW Correspondent Ben Fajzullin)
“What's it like being at the mercy of the world? You mentioned public opinion, having that pressure on you, basically.”
(Shira Havron)
“I come from a very complicated, politically, region. And we as a family, and this is the hard part, we are a people of peace. Obviously, there's an occupation in this country, and it needs to end, but, you know, war is not an answer. People are surprised when I'm saying that I still believe in peace, and I want it, because of what happened to my family. But I think it's the only solution, and that my family should be the last people that are dying and murdered over this crazy political situation. And so are the people in Gaza. I identify with the pain. I see big families with so many names, like erased and crossed, and it reminds me of my family, because we have so many victims as well.”