AUSTIN, Texas — As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, U.S. negotiators remain optimistic that they are nearing a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The deal could free some of the 100 remaining hostages in Gaza and pause the fighting. Families of several hostages were in Austin on Tuesday, with the hope that state officials can help.
The family members came to Austin from all over, including New York and Israel. They hope sharing their pain and horror with state officials and lawmakers can spread awareness and help bring their loved ones home.
Dalia Cuznir's two brothers-in-law, Eitan and Yair Horn, were captured by Hamas and have been held hostage since October.
"An Army officer saying that they're going house by house to rescue, to take all the survivors out, and they arrive to their house and they're not there," Cuznir said.
As hostages have slowly been released, the family was able to confirm the two brothers were alive. But today, they're not sure.
"Those women also told us about their starvation and the physical violence and the sexual violence and the horrible conditions they're being kept in," Cuznir said.
Moshe Lavi's family is going through a similar trauma. His brother-in-law is being held captive as his loved ones wonder if he's alive.
"It's been almost four months now, and we've been advocating for our loved ones ever since the second day of the war, Oct. 8," Lavi said.
Part of the advocacy work means visiting Austin.
"States like Texas, so important to visit, to meet elected officials, to meet communities because they have, again, they have weight on a federal level that people don't realize sometimes," Lavi said.
Both Cuznir and Moshe said they hope their pain is being heard, here in Texas and across the nation.
"It's not about right wing, left wing or whatever. This is a humanitarian issue and it should stay separated from politics," Cuznir said.
Both Dalia and Lavi came to Texas because there is a delegation of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. They have also visited San Antonio and Dallas in the hopes of raising awareness in other Texas cities.