The gathering at the offices of The New York Sun of three siblings of Israeli hostages imprisoned by Hamas at Gaza brought into arresting and affecting relief the plight of the hostages. Taken on October 7 with bloodshed, they have been held for more than a year in the most forbidding of conditions. These three — Romi Gonen, Naama Levy, and Karina Ariev — are among the some 60 living souls held in the enclave.   

It could be, though, that circumstances could emerge that are ripe for a resolution. Israel has battered Hamas and diminished Hezbollah. Iran’s foothold in the Arab world, Syria, has fallen. Tehran lies exposed, and reports are that strikes against its nuclear sites — and the regime itself — are being weighed. These opportunities were created by Israel’s push for victory — a determination all the more resolute for the world’s disapproval. 

The young Israelis who spoke to the Sun, though, are neither diplomats nor commanders. Romi’s sister, Yarden Gonen, is a nurse who planned to soon travel to Australia. Now, she travels with a shirt with her sister’s smile emblazoned on it. Amit Levy spoke of his sister’s smile and kindness. Sasha Ariev, a Jerusalemite, is a biologist with dreams of medical school. Her sister Karina was serving in a security unit with Naama when they were abducted.