Editor’s note: Sadly, negotiations to release the hostages seem to have stalled. We pray for their release in the very near future.

Amiram Cooper, 84, and Nurit Cooper, 79, were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 by Hamas gunmen. Thirty-eight of Nir Oz’s 400 residents were killed that day and at least 78 were kidnapped, according to Rotem Cooper, the couple’s son.

The Coopers, parents of three and grandparents of nine, were held captive for 17 days in Gaza, until October 23, when Nurit was released. Amiram remains in captivity, appearing in a Hamas video on December 19. He suffers from high blood pressure, thyroid issues and ulcers.

Born in Haifa in 1938, Amiram came to Nir Oz in 1957 and was one of the founders of the kibbutz. He served for many years as the chief economist of the Ma’or region settlements. A poet and composer, he has written three books of poetry and one children’s book. His song Shira Ovedet (‘Working Song’) can be heard at https://shira-ovedet.kibbutz.org.il/templates/radio.htm?dataid=1411&chan=

“The number one worry of hostages is that we’ve forgotten them,” Rotem Cooper said, “and the other is that they’re going to get bombarded.” He added, “The whole goal is to keep the hostages front and center. It must be the number one issue, every hour, every day and you can’t normalize the situation.”