As the United States celebrates Independence Day, a day synonymous with freedom and national pride, one American family faces a starkly different reality. While many gather with loved ones to enjoy traditional festivities, the father of an American hostage held by Hamas in Gaza pleads for his son’s release. His son, Itay, has been in captivity for 637 days, enduring harsh conditions in the tunnels of Gaza. This Fourth of July, the family is reminded of the freedom their son is denied, as he remains one of 50 hostages held by Hamas.

The father recalls his first Fourth of July celebration during the American bicentennial in 1976, a time when he felt assured of his country’s commitment to protect its citizens. Today, however, he finds himself grappling with the harsh reality that his son is not free. The family’s experience highlights the broader issue of American hostages abroad and the need for decisive action to secure their release.

The father calls on President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to collaborate on a diplomatic initiative aimed at freeing the hostages. He emphasizes that taking U.S. citizens hostage should be met with severe consequences and urges for a strategy that prioritizes their release. The father believes that Trump’s previous success with the Abraham Accords positions him uniquely to negotiate a comprehensive peace deal that could stabilize the Middle East and secure the hostages’ freedom.

As Americans celebrate their independence, this family’s ordeal serves as a poignant reminder of those who remain deprived of their liberty. The father’s plea underscores the importance of continued efforts to uphold the values of freedom and human dignity that define America.