Israeli families forum accuse gov of 'giving up lives of captives'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
18 Mar 2025 09:54
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The forum has warned that resuming military operations before securing the release of "all hostages will cost us the 59 hostages who are still in Gaza and who can still be saved and returned."

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American-Israeli captive Keith Siegel, 65, center left, waves as he is escorted by Hamas fighters to be handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City, on Saturday, February 1, 2025. (AP, File)

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a statement following renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, accusing the government of "choosing to give up the lives of the hostages."

"The greatest fear of the families, of the hostages, and of Israeli citizens has been realized," the statement read.

"We are horrified, furious, and scared by the intentional shattering of the process of returning our loved ones from ....... Hamas captivity," it stressed.

The forum warned that resuming military operations before securing the release of "all hostages will cost us the 59 hostages who are still in Gaza and who can still be saved and returned."

It dismissed claims that the offensive is aimed at freeing captives, calling such statements "complete misdirection" and asserting that "military pressure endangers hostages and soldiers."

Of the 59 captives, only 24 are believed to be alive, according to Israeli media, while the families of the dead are seeking the return of remains for burial.

"The ceasefire must be resumed. Many lives are at stake," the statement concluded, urging US President Donald Trump to continue efforts to secure the release of all captives.

"There will be no security, no victory, and no redemption until the last hostage returns home," it concluded.

Later, Israeli media reported that the captives' families will gather outside the Prime Minister’s Office in al-Quds, stating that they have long been requesting meetings with elected officials who are responsible for the fate of the captives, but their requests haven’t been heeded.

The families consider that the reason why elected officials aren’t meeting with them is that they were always planning to end the ceasefire.

“The hostage families demand a meeting this morning with the prime minister, the defense minister and the head of the negotiating team in which [the officials] will clarify how they can guarantee that hostages won’t be affected by the military pressure and how they are planning to get them home,” the families said in a statement.

'Israel' resumes aggression on Gaza, reneges ceasefire

The Israeli occupation forces launched intense airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, targeting residential areas, refugee camps, and public infrastructure, following the official collapse of the ceasefire halting aggression on the Palestinian territory.

Palestinian medical sources reported at least 254 martyrs, most of whom were children, and 440 wounded in the bombardment, many in critical condition.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza reported that dozens of simultaneous Israeli airstrikes struck various locations in Gaza within a span of fewer than ten minutes. Reports indicate that Israeli missiles hit homes, mosques, schools, and displacement shelters, particularly in Khan Younis and Rafah.

Fires broke out in refugee tents west of Khan Younis after direct Israeli strikes, leaving many civilians trapped under debris.

The Israeli military and intelligence agency Shin Bet confirmed the attacks in an official statement, saying they were carried out under political directives. Israeli media quoted a senior official as saying, “The ceasefire is over.”

Hamas condemned the renewed assault, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of resuming a campaign of genocide against unarmed civilians. The movement called on the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the United Nations to intervene urgently, urging the enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 to halt the Israeli offensive.

Palestinian sources also reported increased Israeli military movements along the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza, raising concerns about a potential ground escalation.

The White House acknowledged that the Israeli occupation had consulted with the US before launching the strikes but did not disclose details of the discussions.

Rescue teams in Gaza are struggling to respond to distress calls due to severe shortages of equipment and operational vehicles, leaving many wounded without immediate medical aid.