(NewsNation) — The father of a man who has been held hostage by Hamas for more than a year describes his son as a loving girl dad and a “guy’s guy” who is always eager to help.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen said his son, Sagui, was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, when fighters with the Al-Qassam Brigade made their incursion into Israel. He believes Sagui is still alive.
“Sagui is one of 23 hostages still remaining in Gaza just from my community. We’re very anxious to have Sagui freed and reunited with his family … and all of the hostages, those that are still alive. Several dozen, we already know, have been murdered,” he said.
Dekel-Chen said he’s encouraged by recent events since President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“There’s always been an urgency thanks to Donald Trump,” he said. “Since even before the inauguration, there’s been positive movement.”
He acknowledged, however, that there is still “more work to be done.”
“I’m the father of a hostage; I would really prefer not to deal with the politics. But what I can say is that we have seen, by (Trump’s) actions and those of his team, the complete commitment of President Trump to get the job done. Not just for the good of the families and the hostages but for Israel’s best interests, the best interests of the United States and the best interests of the region as a whole,” he said.