Families of hostages express ‘serious concern’ over reported US outline for Gaza truce extension

The families of the Gaza hostages have been left with “serious concerns” amid reports that US special envoy Steve Witkoff has presented a new proposal to extend the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip by several weeks in exchange for five living and nine slain hostages, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum says.

“The reports about the outline for the return of just a few hostages raise serious concerns among the families of the hostages that their loved ones will be left in captivity for a long and undetermined length of time,” the forum says.

The forum demands a “comprehensive and immediate agreement that will return all 59 hostages in one fell swoop and leave nobody behind.”

“Otherwise, the living hostages who remain in the tunnels will be sentenced to death, and we will not be able to locate and return the dead for burial,” it adds.