Families Anxious, ISIS Hostages Fate in Limbo
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It's unknown if Islamic State hostages Kenji Goto and Moaz al-Kassasbeh are still alive, hours after the latest deadline for a prisoner swap passed.
So far, the terror group has been silent on the fate of the Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot. The last communication of ISIS, released Wednesday night, is the voice of Goto.
"If Sajida al-Rishawi is not ready for exchange for my life at the Turkish border, the Jordanian pilot will be killed immediately," Goto said.
ISIS has called for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman convicted of terrorism, in exchange for the two men.
Jordan's government said it would agree to the swap on one major condition.
"We want to see a proof of life of the Jordanian pilot, and then we can talk about the exchange between Sajida Rishawi and the Jordanian pilot," Jordanian Information Minister Mohammed al-Momani said.
But the proof never came.
Meanwhile, al-Kassasbeh's father pleaded with ISIS to release his son. He said Jordanians and Palestinians would respond in a very positive way to ISIS if the group spares a Muslim brother.
Goto's wife fears this prisoner exchange could be her husband's last chance to live. She said she has been contacted by ISIS.
If the swap happens, authorities say that means releasing al-Rishawi, a staunch female terrorist with close ties to the leaders of ISIS.
She was sentenced to prison for her involvement in an al Qaeda attack on a hotel in Amman, Jordan, in 2005. As many as 60 Jordanians, some of whom were attending a Muslim wedding, lost their lives in that attack.
Even if Jordan and ISIS agree to the prisoner exchange, it's unknown what will happen next to the Japanese hostage, Goto, who has two daughters, an infant and a 2-year-old.
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