Mother of Israeli soldier in Gaza wants Hamas to prove her son is alive

The mother of Israeli Officer Aron Shaul, who was arrested by Hamas during last year’s Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, has asked the Islamic movement to prove that her son is alive in return for her putting pressure on the Israeli government to carry out a prisoner swap.

In a press conference held yesterday in Tell Aviv, Shaul’s mother said: “Mr Haniyeh [top Hamas leader in Gaza], prove that Shaul is alive, and we will turn the state upside down to carry out a prisoner swap.”

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She added: “I have taught my son the ethics of army and sent him to defend the state. Based on this, I believe that the army does not leave its dead or wounded on the battlefield. The military leaders have to bear the responsibility and bring our son home.”

Addressing Israeli officials, she said: “Despite all the promises I have received, there is nothing on the ground yet regarding the issue of returning my lost son. This is the responsibility of the government and the army.”

Read: Father of Israeli soldier lost in Gaza calls for Hamas’s demands to be fulfilled

Ms Shaul reiterated that her son was left wounded on the ground and that he is now in the hands of Hamas.

One of the army officers who attended the press conference attempted to silence her when she claimed that the army fell short in efforts to return her son.