Mother waits for her two sons as one Gaza hostage reunites with her family

Earlier this week, I witnessed a miracle as families across America were still celebrating Mother's Day weekend. Edan Alexander finally reunited with his mother and father in Gaza 584 days later. Seeing them embrace, tears of joy, seeing overwhelming relief in their eyes – it fills me with happiness for them and hopes that we all will be waiting for. But it hurt my heart even more deeply. When will you hug your two sons again?

For 18 months, I have fought for their lives. Every morning, noon, evening, night, I'm not the only Sylvia. I am a warrior. Her mother, who came to Israel from Argentina with her husband Louis in 1986, has a dream of building life on this land. Decades later, I could not imagine begging the world to help bring my sons from prison to house.

I would like to talk about my son, not as a hostage, but as a lively, beloved man. David, who turned 35 on May 21st – the POW's 2nd birthday – is a devoted father. He is an electrical engineer with a childlike mind. He and his wife Sharon have beautiful twin daughters, Yuri and Emma, ​​who are only four years old. My younger son, Ariel (27), is what we call “mom's boy.” My baby, the youngest of our four sons. He is a software tester with a passion for music and astronomy. Just before the invitation, he returns from exploring South America with his girlfriend Abel Yehoud.

Edan Alexander, an American, released by Hamas after being kept for over 580 days.

Every night I have the same dream. I see my sons in my hospital bed. I run to them, hug them, suck the scent, kiss them for everything they endure. Once upon a time I dreamed of holding David in such a vivid way that I woke up in the hopes of finding him by my side. The crushing reality that follows is what I live with every day.

On October 6th, 2023, our whole family gathered at our home at Kibbutz Nir Oz. 20 people celebrated the holiday together. By the next morning, a family of eight had been lured into Hamas terrorists: David, Sharon, twin daughters, Ariel, his girlfriend, Abel, Sharon's sister Daniela, and her five-year-old daughter.

I will never forget to text. Ariel wrote, “We're in a horror film.” David sent, “They're breaking into our home.” David and Ariel were taken along with others.

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Wife, daughter and David Kunio during a happy day. Doting's father is detained by a Hamasterolist in Gaza. David's wife and two daughters were released on their first hostage contract. (Cunio Family)

In November 2023, David's wife and daughter brought him along in the first hostage deal. But my sons remained behind. For two months, Ariel was listed as missing before he learned he was in Gaza. The uncertainty was unbearable.

Then, 482 days later, Abel was finally released in a hostage exchange in February. When I met her, I was desperately eager to hear about Ariel. Instead, she told me she only held him together for three hours before the temptation transferred him to another vehicle. She never saw him again. From that moment on, she was alone. This knowledge comforts and scares me – he was alive at the time, where is he now?

David's daughters turned four years old without a father and uncle. Every night they cry and ask when the “bad guy” takes his dad home. How do you explain this fear to a child? I'm torn in half – looking after those who have returned while fighting for those who remain.

We are deeply grateful to President Donald Trump, his administration, Middle Eastern envoy Steve Witkoff, and all those who made tireless efforts to secure Abel's release in the latest hostage exchange. Your resolve and diplomatic efforts have taken her to us, and now Edan Alexander has gone to his family. For this we are forever grateful. The hopes of all the families with loved ones still in Gaza are now resting with you. I hope Monday's release marks the beginning of a greater effort to bring all hostages into the home. I beg you to continue your important work with the same urgency and bring them home.

Ariel and his girlfriend, Abel, were violently invited by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. She was released in a hostage exchange in February, but Ariel is still in custody in Gaza. (Cunio Family)

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Seeing Edan with his family on Monday reminded me that miracles are possible. But I am the mother of one of many who are still waiting. In addition to my son, there are 56 other hostages in Gaza. Each has a family desperate to meet again. Those who are still alive deserve to be accepted by their loved ones again. Those who were killed deserve to be buried with dignity.

Hostage return is neither political nor military — it is a moral obligation. There's time to fight Hamas, and more campaigns are ahead. But the lives of Ariel, David and all hostages cannot wait. Every day reduces the chances of survival.

I refuse to lose hope. At the end of this tunnel is a light where you await them. But time is running out. Edan's mother hugs her son today. When will you hug mine?

US Special Envoy Adam Borler and US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff met with hostage families for nearly two hours on Tuesday in Tel Aviv. (Paulina Patimer)

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As a mother who came to Israel to build a future for her children, I will not stop fighting for them. I will be their voice until they can speak for themselves again.

My plea is simple: help bring my son and all 58 hostages home. Let's rebuild our entire family.