Deal happened ‘in spite of’ Netanyahu, says son of killed hostage
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The imminent return of the final Israeli hostages from Gaza brings mixed emotions for U.S. resident Rotem Cooper, whose father Amiram Cooper died in Hamas captivity in 2023, after being taken hostage at the age of 84 in the October 7 attacks.
After two years of campaigning for their release, “all of a sudden it’s here, and it’s hard to comprehend,” he told NBC News from Hostages Square in Tel Aviv last night.
He said that Israel had missed the opportunity to secure the return of hostages earlier on, adding: “The worst-case scenario for me unfortunately came true. I wasn’t able to get my father out of there while he was still alive.”
Cooper said that the agreement happened “in spite of the Israeli prime minister, and the credit is much more to the U.S. administration, both of them, and especially to President Trump.”
