Omri Miran has been held captive by Hamas for 18 months, spending his 48th birthday away from his family. His wife, Lishay, continues to send him messages on WhatsApp, detailing their daughters' lives and expressing her unwavering hope for his survival despite the ongoing conflict and uncertainty surrounding their situation.
A Birthday Marked by Hope and Heartache: The Story of Omri Miran and His Family
A Birthday Marked by Hope and Heartache: The Story of Omri Miran and His Family
As Omri Miran remains in captivity, his wife Lishay shares messages filled with love and longing while hoping for his return amidst escalating conflict.
Omri Miran's family continues to grapple with the emotional toll of his absence as he spends another birthday in captivity, marking 18 months since he was taken by Hamas. Now turning 48, Omri's wife, Lishay, eagerly awaits the day he'll be able to scroll through the messages she's sent through WhatsApp – little snippets of their daughters' lives devoid of his presence and filled with love.
Lishay initiated the "Notes to Omri" chat three weeks after his abduction from their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023. Not thinking of the number of messages she's sent, she attempts to keep their connection alive, offering updates and reflections. One message recalls their daughter Roni, who struggles with her father's absence, saying goodnight to him at the window in a bittersweet routine.
Celebrating Omri’s birthday in Tel Aviv, Lishay expressed the poignant irony of the holiday of Pesach, which symbolizes liberation, contrasting with her family's current entrapment in grief and uncertainty. Omri's name remains prominent in discussions about hostages, with his family advocating for his release while also bearing witness to their emotional devastation.
In the public space of Hostages Square, the community gathered to commemorate Omri's birthday, highlighting the absence of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza. Lishay reflects on painful memories and the emotional weight of physical distance, as she makes sporadic visits back to Nahal Oz, close to Gaza, feeling an invisible connection to her husband amidst the conflict that reignited after a brief ceasefire.
Despite her frustrations with the current government’s actions and the unresolved fate of the hostages, Lishay maintains hope. She clings to the belief that Omri will eventually receive her messages, that he remains alive, and that they will reunite, echoing a promise she often reminds herself: "I know someday it'll happen."
