The healing process from the Israel-Hamas war can begin only when the hostages return home and soldiers return to their posts, Shlomi Nahumson, CEO of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, told Newsmax on Sunday.
"We pray for the moment when we can begin healing from this war, and that will only begin when the hostages return to their homes and our soldiers return to their borders, but not just returning, also knowing that another day like Oct. 7 or the two years that preceded that horrible day will never return again," Nahumson said on Newsmax's "Wake Up America Weekend."
He praised President Donald Trump's role in trying to broker peace, saying Israelis remain cautiously hopeful.
"We're hearing mixed feelings. We're grateful for President Trump's leadership and his attempt to put this conflict to an end. And we're carefully optimistic today," he said.
Nahumson emphasized the heavy toll of the war, especially on families of the fallen.
"The human price of this war weighs heavy on every Israeli, but especially the families of the hostages and soldiers," he said.
He also warned that even if peace were to be declared immediately, the recovery process would stretch over lifetimes.
"This will be the beginning of a lifelong journey for so many families," he said. "We have over 780 children who were orphaned from a parent, and over 330 women and men who were widowed as a result of this war. These are numbers that we've had over the past 26 years. In 26 years, we have had these numbers that we had in just the past two years."
Nahumson said his organization is committed to supporting the families left behind.
"It's a lifelong journey, which I am honored and privileged, really, as the CEO of IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, to be part of and to be part of the healing process for these families," he said.
"But it's not going to be an easy path. It's not going to be a short one. We will do everything in our power to make sure that they're never going to walk alone over the course of their lives. And of course, we'll say again, never again."
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