Latest news with #MichaelLevy
CNN
26-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
‘Imagine your worst nightmare': Brother of former Israeli hostage tells CNN about the conditions in Gaza
Michael Levy, the brother of Or Levy — an Israeli hostage recently released from Gaza — speaks to CNN's Jeremy Diamond about his brother's experience being held hostage by Hamas for 491 days.
CBS News
19-02-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Skokie, Illinois residents give village an earful in wake of water main break, flooding
Last Friday, a water main break caused major problems in Skokie, Illinois — flooding streets, yards, garages, shutting down businesses, and leaving the suburban village and part of neighboring Evanston under a boil order. The boil order was lifted Sunday night, and water pressure has returned for most. But some residents are unhappy with how the village responded to the disaster — and said as much at a village meeting Tuesday night. The Village of Skokie issued a declaration of emergency Tuesday night. Such a declaration really is the first step in applying for state and county disaster funds, but residents told CBS News Chicago they are worried about whether they will see any of that money. The Valentine's Day water main break not only flooded neighborhood streets in Skokie — it also totaled cars and required emergency calls to the plumber. The rush of water also erased priceless memories, like a wedding dress that one local family had stored in a box since the 1980s. "We lost a lot of personal mementoes," Skokie resident Michael Levy said at the village board meeting Tuesday night. Levy said the rush of water filled his basement and cars. "Our home was encased in ice," he said. Levy said the village did not do enough to respond in the critical hours after the water main break — a sentiment shared among others. "Nobody came," Levy said. "We felt neglected. We felt hidden. It was getting scary." The water main that ruptured provides the majority of Skokie residents with water. The village said a fitting cap on a 36-inch water main installed in the 1960s failed Friday. The hardware should have lasted 80 to 100 years, officials said. "It's very traumatic," said Kathleen Schmidt. "My 81-year-old dad was out there trying to get the ice moved. My kids are now traumatized." Leaders in Skokie called the leak unprecedented, and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen vowed to rebuild any trust that was lost . "We will work to restore your trust," Van Dusen said. "I understand. It's the feeling like you don't have control." The Village of Skokie urged residents to reach out to their insurance companies. The village has also launched an online portal for residents to submit detailed damage photos of their home. Village officials say this will help if and when any disaster funds become available.
Khaleej Times
10-02-2025
- Khaleej Times
Brother says freed Israeli hostage suffered 'hardest blow' learning wife killed
Freed Israeli hostage Or Levy suffered the "hardest blow" upon his release from Gaza when he learned that his wife was killed by Hamas militants in the 2023 attack in which he was abducted, his brother said on Sunday. On Saturday, Hamas militants released Levy along with two other hostages, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, as part of an ongoing ceasefire in Gaza. "The hardest blow awaited Or when he was freed -- his greatest fear was confirmed," Michael Levy told journalists at a hospital where his brother is being treated. "Einav, his beloved wife, was murdered on that cursed day. For 491 days, he held on to the hope that he would return to her. For 491 days, he didn't know she was no longer alive," Michael Levy added. Or and Einav Levy had attended the Nova music festival when Hamas militants stormed it during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. They had left their son Almog, two years old at the time, with his grandparents. The usually inseparable couple, who met at school, tried to hide from the attackers along Route 232, the only path away from the festival. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli campaign group, Einav was killed in the attack while Or was abducted along with other young men. Until now, it had been unclear whether Or knew of his wife's fate. "He only found out yesterday," said Michael Levy. "Or is alive. He is here. But this happiness is mixed with an immense sadness, a pain that cannot be described." "After everything he went through, he finally met Mogi, his little son. A three-year-old boy who hadn't seen his father for 16 months!" the brother added.
Arab News
09-02-2025
- Arab News
Brother says freed Israeli hostage suffered ‘hardest blow' learning wife killed
JERUSALEM: Freed Israeli hostage Or Levy suffered the 'hardest blow' upon his release from Gaza when he learned that his wife was killed by Hamas militants in the 2023 attack in which he was abducted, his brother said Sunday. On Saturday, Hamas militants released Levy along with two other hostages, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, as part of an ongoing ceasefire in Gaza. 'The hardest blow awaited Or when he was freed — his greatest fear was confirmed,' Michael Levy told journalists at a hospital where his brother is being treated. 'Einav, his beloved wife, was murdered on that cursed day. For 491 days, he held on to the hope that he would return to her. For 491 days, he didn't know she was no longer alive,' Michael Levy added. Or and Einav Levy had attended the Nova music festival when Hamas militants stormed it during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. They had left their son Almog, two years old at the time, with his grandparents. The usually inseparable couple, who met at school, tried to hide from the attackers along Route 232, the only path away from the festival. According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli campaign group, Einav was killed in the attack while Or was abducted along with other young men. Until now, it had been unclear whether Or knew of his wife's fate. 'He only found out yesterday,' said Michael Levy. 'Or is alive. He is here. But this happiness is mixed with an immense sadness, a pain that cannot be described.' 'After everything he went through, he finally met Mogi, his little son. A three-year-old boy who hadn't seen his father for 16 months!' the brother added.
