The Hostages Families Forum has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for appearing to refer only to the 20 hostages Israel believes are still alive in Gaza, urging him to reaffirm his commitment to securing the return of all 50 captives, including those declared dead.
During a press conference with local media last night, Netanyahu was asked whether he would consider a partial hostage release deal.
He did not answer directly, instead stating he was “committed to the release of all 20 of our hostages,” a remark that the forum says leaves out 28 hostages whom Israeli authorities have confirmed dead, as well as the remains of an IDF soldier held in Gaza since 2014.
“Assure the people of Israel that you are committed to returning everyone, the living and the dead,” the forum said in a statement, calling on Netanyahu to “clarify that he was wrong, and that his commitment is to all 50 hostages, alive and dead, to ensure the return of the living for rehabilitation and the dead for a proper and respectful burial.”
According to Israeli intelligence, 28 of the hostages were either killed during the October 7 attacks or died in captivity.
Officials have also voiced “grave concern” for the fate of two others who have not been seen or heard from for nearly two years.
