SEATTLE — An Israeli family visiting Seattle this week is sharing their story about a loved one, who is being held hostage by Hamas, amid the Israel-Hamas war.
"It's hard. It's the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with,” said Romi Cohen. “The only thing we have is hope. To hope that he will come back as soon as possible."
Nimrod Rohen, 19, is one of at least 136 people being held captive after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
"[For] two days we had no idea what was going on with him, except watching a video that you could see the terrorists taking him captive, him and his friends and then the I.D.F (Israel Defense Forces) informed us that he's indeed kidnapped in Gaza," said Romi.
Nimrod's twin sister Romi and their father Yehuda Cohen spoke with KING 5 on Saturday. It's been more than 100 days since they've seen Nimrod.
"Each and every day that goes by we hear about more hostages who were murdered in captivity,” said Romi. “Maybe they survived until today. But tomorrow Hamas will release videos that will show their bodies."
His twin sibling and father say they are doing everything they can to bring him back, getting help from "Hostages and Missing Families Forum," an organization created by families of abductees, providing support and a platform.
"We are talking to everybody from the Prime Minister in Israel through officials all over the world whatever we can do we'll do to release my son," said Yehuda.
The Cohen family said the pain is knowing there is still so much unknown.
The Cohen family will be part of a panel discussion with other family members of Israeli hostages by Hamas.
The event is free and open to the public, held at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle from 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21.