Mother of hostage reveals: "We know she is alive"

Merav Leshem Gonen, the mother of Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped in Gaza, addressed the reports this morning about progress in the negotiations for the release of hostages, revealing that her daughter is alive.

In an interview with Radio 103FM, Lisham Gonen said: "I think we don't really know what is happening in the talks, it is likely that what is said to the media is not very accurate." I suggest everyone stay focused on the goal, stay busy with our daily tasks.

At this stage, she said: "We know that Romi is alive, beyond that we don't know."

Regarding the families' involvement in the negotiations, she said: "We are not updated on the negotiations, and I choose not to ask." They need quiet now, even from us, in order to bring them back as quickly as possible.

This comes as Hamas continues to publish horrific videos of some of the hostages sending the footage to families of hostages in a sick game of psychological warfare. However from some of the documentation sent, Israeli officials are able to see the state of the hostages and receive confirmation in some cases that their family members are still alive in Gaza after over a year in captivity. We hope and pray that Romi and all the hostages still in Hamas captivity are released soon, before it's too late.