Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza are calling on the Israeli government to extend the recently brokered ceasefire with Iran to include the Gaza Strip, in hopes of ending the ongoing war and securing the release of those still in captivity.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of those abducted by Hamas, issued a strong appeal on Tuesday, urging Israeli leaders to pursue urgent negotiations to bring all hostages home.
"Those who can achieve a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza," the forum said in its statement. "The ceasefire must expand to include Gaza."
The forum emphasized the emotional toll the crisis has taken on Israeli society. "After 12 days and nights during which the people of Israel could not sleep because of Iran, we can finally go back to not sleeping because of the hostages," the statement read.
According to the Israeli government, around 50 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with at least 20 believed to be alive. The families warned that failing to use this diplomatic opening to secure the hostages’ release would be a "grave failure," calling the current ceasefire a "critical window of opportunity."
The call has been echoed by opposition leaders. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition, posted on X: "And now Gaza. This is the moment to close that front as well. To bring the hostages home, to end the war. Israel needs to start rebuilding."
Yair Golan, leader of the centre-left Democrats Party, also urged the government to seize the moment for a Gaza truce. "Now is the time to complete the mission: Return all the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and stop once and for all the internal coup that threatens to make Israel weak, divided, and vulnerable," Golan posted.
As pressure mounts from both the families and political opposition, the Israeli government faces increasing demands to expand its diplomatic efforts beyond Iran and towards a lasting resolution in Gaza.
