The family of Israeli hostage Omri Miran has released an emotional appeal to US President Donald Trump, pleading with him to assist in the return of their father home after more than 523 days with Hamas in captivity. Miran is part of 59 hostages still in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, attacks. But just 24 are said to be still alive, including the 47-year-old father, as Israel and Hamas attempt to negotiate ceasefires.
Miran’s wife, Lishi Lavi-Miran, used social media to share a video of the children holding homemade posters in support of their father. Addressing President Trump, she wrote, “Dear Donald Trump, my daughters talk about you all the time—they know you’re the one who brings daddies home to their kids.”
She added, “Please help us bring Omri and all the hostages back to their families. We are counting on you. Thank you, POTUS!”
Dear @realDonaldTrump, my daughters talk about you all the time—they know you’re the one who brings daddies home to their kids.
Please help us bring Omri and all the hostages back to their families. We are counting on you. Thank you, @POTUS! pic.twitter.com/fmHRa7c7v7
— Lishay Miran-Lavi (@LishayLM) March 10, 2025
Viral Video Sparks Global Support
The heart-wrenching video, now being widely shared on X (previously Twitter), is of Miran’s young daughters speaking Hebrew, begging for their father’s safe return. The children close out the clip hugging and kissing pictures of their father, a moment that has warmed hearts globally.
Most online users have reacted in messages of hope and solidarity. Freed hostage Noa Aragamani, whose boyfriend Avinatan Or is still held captive, wrote, “I can’t wait to see you all hugging Omri again.”
Ceasefire Talks and Hostage Negotiations Continue
While the international community continues to rally behind the release of the hostages, US special representative Steve Witkoff is in Qatar facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Israel has offered a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, advocating for the immediate release of 10 surviving hostages. However, Hamas has called for a longer-lasting ceasefire and is calling on mediators such as the US, Qatar, and Egypt to guarantee Israel complies with settled terms.
We urge Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and also the guarantors in the US administration, to make sure the occupation conforms to the accord and moves towards the second stage based on agreed-upon criteria,” Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said to AFP.
Rising Pressure for Action
The appeal by Miran’s relatives is part of the growing pressure on global leaders to ensure that the hostages are released. As families and released hostages cry out, the world waits anxiously as the talks progress.
Miran’s family and the rest of the other hostage families keep hoping that their appeals will be heard as negotiations continue.
