Out of time? Families plead for lives of IS hostages as swap hopes fade

Japan and Jordan were working closely on Friday to find out what had happened to a journalist and shot-down fighter pilot, respectively, held by the militant group known as the Islamic State, after Thursday’s deadline passed for the release of a would-be suicide bomber being held on death row in Amman. The group had said that it would kill one or both men, first setting a deadline of Tuesday, then Thursday, for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi, currently sitting on death row. Jordan had demanded proof that the pilot, Muath al-Kasaesbeh — who was shot down in December — is still alive. A Japanese spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, reiterated Friday Japan’s “strong trust” in the Jordanians to help save the Japanese hostage, freelance journalist Kenji Goto.

I fear that this is the last chance for my husband, and we now have only a few hours left.

Rinko Jogo, wife of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto

An audio message purportedly posted online Thursday by IS said the pilot, Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh, would be killed if Sajida al-Rishawi, the al-Qaida prisoner, was not delivered to the Turkish border by sunset on Thursday, Iraq time. There was no mention of whether the pilot or Goto would be traded for the woman. After sundown in the Middle East, with no news on the fate of either the pilot or Goto, the families’ agonizing wait dragged on. In the Jordanian capital Amman, the pilot’s brother Jawdat al-Kaseasbeh, said his family had “no clue” about where the negotiations stood.

We received no assurances from anyone that he is alive. We are waiting, just waiting.

Jawdat al-Kaseasbeh’s, brother of Jordanian hostage Muath al-Kaseasbeh

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