The haunting voice of Romi Gonen, captured during Hamas's October 7 assault on the Nova music festival, echoes through a newly obtained audio recording that has plunged her family into fresh anguish. As her captivity stretches into a second unbearable year, her brother reveals the torment of hearing her desperate screams.
'I Hear Him Screaming': A Brother's Agony
Yarden Gonen's voice trembles as he describes the moment he first heard the recording of his sister's capture. "When I hear him screaming, I know exactly what he's feeling," Yarden told The Guardian, his words heavy with the weight of 24 months of uncertainty.
The audio evidence, obtained through investigative efforts, captures the chaotic moments when Romi, then 23, was taken from the Supernova festival near Re'im. The recording provides chilling confirmation of her ordeal while offering no clues about her current condition.
A Family's Unending Vigil
For the Gonen family, time has become both an enemy and a measure of their resilience. Each day without news of Romi's fate stretches into an eternity of worry and hope. Yarden describes the emotional rollercoaster of dealing with government officials, international mediators, and the relentless passage of time.
"Two years feels like a lifetime when you don't know if your sister is alive or dead," Yarden shared, his frustration palpable. "We exist in this unbearable limbo, where every sunrise brings both hope and dread."
The Psychological Toll of Uncertainty
Mental health experts working with hostage families describe the unique trauma of prolonged uncertainty. The absence of concrete information, combined with occasional glimpses through audio or video evidence, creates what psychologists call "ambiguous loss" - one of the most psychologically devastating experiences for families.
Yarden's account reveals how this uncertainty permeates every aspect of family life. Simple celebrations become painful reminders, while news cycles about potential deals or developments trigger emotional whiplash between hope and despair.
The International Response
The Gonen family's private agony unfolds against a backdrop of complex international diplomacy and stalled negotiations. Despite numerous attempts at mediation and several temporary ceasefires, a comprehensive agreement for the release of all remaining hostages remains elusive.
Yarden expresses both gratitude for the efforts made and frustration at their limitations. "We appreciate everything being done, but when it's your sister screaming in that recording, 'everything' never feels like enough."
A Plea for Action
As the second anniversary of Romi's capture approaches, Yarden's message to world leaders is simple yet urgent: "Don't let another year pass with our loved ones in captivity. The sound of my sister's voice in that recording should be enough to move mountains."
The family continues their vigil, clinging to the hope that international pressure and diplomatic efforts will eventually bring Romi and other hostages home, ending their two-year nightmare.
