A Birthday Marked by Absence: Omri Miran's Family Continues to Hope Amidst Heartache

The emotional journey of Lishay Miran, whose husband Omri has been held by Hamas for 18 months, unfolds as she commemorates his 48th birthday. Through heartfelt messages to his WhatsApp, she navigates the challenges of parental absence while keeping hope alive amidst ongoing conflict.

As Omri Miran marks his 48th birthday in captivity, his wife Lishay continues to send heartfelt messages through WhatsApp, embodying the enduring hope of families affected by war. Omri, taken by Hamas from their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, has been missing for 18 months now, leaving a void in the lives of his wife and two daughters. Three weeks after his abduction, Lishay began documenting their family's life without him, sharing messages of love, updates about their daughters, and snippets from their daily routine.

On his birthday, Lishay reflects on the pain of his absence, particularly within the context of the upcoming Passover holiday, a symbol of freedom for the Jewish people. The stark contrast between their former life and current sorrow weighs heavily on Lishay, who expresses that the entire nation feels shackled by the ongoing conflict. In Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, community members gather to mark the occasion, creating a collective call for the release of hostages, including Omri.

Despite the inner turmoil of living in suspense, Lishay occasionally visits Nahal Oz, the place where their life was dramatically altered. She finds solace in being close to Omri's last known location, feeling a connection to him even in his absence. The sobering realities of war continually disrupt their hopes, with recent escalations stirring fears in families waiting for news of their missing loved ones.

Maintaining a cautious demeanor, Lishay refrains from criticizing the government despite her frustration over the stalled negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release. Omri’s dual citizenship has made him a topic of international discussion, but Lishay emphasizes that he is more than just a statistic; he is a beloved husband and father. As uncertainty looms, her WhatsApp messages remain unread, but she holds fast to hope, waiting for the day when the grey ticks next to his messages turn blue.