Family Of Fairfax Native Held Hostage By Hamas In Israel: Reports

FAIRFAX, VA — Family members of Fairfax native and W.T. Woodson High School grad Abby Onn — ranging from 12 to 80 years old — were among the hostages taken by the militant group Hamas in its weekend in Israel, according to news reports.

Onn, who has lived in Israel for eight years, told CNN's Jake Tapper early Tuesday morning that her 80-year-old cousin Carmela Dan; Carmela's 50-year-old son Ofer Kalderon; and her three grandchildren, Sahar Kalderon, 16; Erez Kalderon, 16; and 12-year-old Noya Dan lived on a kibbutz close to Gaza.

FOX News said Noya is 12 years old; CNN reported the child is 13.

"We started getting messages via WhatsApp that Hamas was in a kibbutz, that they were in their homes, so they could hear gunfire and that they were scared for their lives," Onn said, on CNN.

Watch Jack Tapper's full interview of Abby Onn on CNN.

The war began after Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Saturday, bringing gun battles to its streets for the first time in decades, the Associated Press reported. More than 1,800 lives have already been claimed on both sides, and perhaps hundreds more. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza hold more than 150 soldiers and civilians hostage, according to Israel.

"We understood terrorists were in the house. They could hear gunfire and we lost contact with them," Onn told FOX. "It was a day later that we saw a video of our 12-year-old cousin in the hands of Hamas."

Onn said she is trying to "stay optimistic" but said she was aware of Hamas’ threats to execute hostages.

"Our main hope is that people understand that this is not political, this is humanitarian," Onn told WJLA. "That these are people, that these are someone’s grandmother, this is an 80-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl with special needs, and children and parents."

Onn told Tapper it was important to share her family's story with other Americans.

"As a citizen, I know that I would want to hear from someone on the ground who can share the information and can share the truth and try not to pay attention to the news and the government and the military, the things I really have no influence on," she said. "So, I am going to believe that Israel has been here and done this before and they will know the best way to save our citizens and our family."

Chairman Jeff McKay mentioned Onn and her family at the beginning of Tuesday's regular meeting of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. He asked those gathered to keep Onn and her five family members in their minds during the board's moment of silence.

The Associated Press contributed to the writing of this story.