Teen relatives of tragedy-stricken Israeli mother released by Hamas

By Chris Steyn

The teenage niece and nephew of an Israeli mother – whose daughter and mother were killed by Hamas terrorists – have been released, but without their father.

Erez (12) and Sahar (16) Kalderon were among those freed as hostages are being released in batches during a humanitarian truce that has been extended to six days.

Earlier, government sources in Israel told BizNews that the hostage release deal was struck as a direct result of Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip and "derives from the achievements so far" of the Israeli military. 

"It constitutes proof of the necessity of the ground operation – not only for the purpose of overthrowing the Hamas regime and displacing it, but also for the purpose of freeing all the hostages."

The freed hostages' aunt Galit Dan had pleaded for their release and sent them messages of support in a BizNews interview after the October 7 terror attack in which her special-needs daughter Noya (12) and mother Carmella (60) were also abducted and killed.

"My sister's kids, Erez, he was such a good friend of my daughters. He's 12 years old and Sahar, the most beautiful girl you can imagine, 16 years old, and their father, the ex of my sister. Beautiful boy, beautiful man with a large heart. And they were taken also. 

"I'm so scared. I am so scared. I ask you to imagine how it feels, but I try not to imagine what they are going through and where they are. I just pray, pray that…they can be protected by some big force…you know, the good force of the universe. It just sends them energies…"

Their father, Ofer Kalderon, is still being held hostage.