Gaza hostages’ families demand meeting with PM amid expanded op: ‘The worst of all nights’

Amid the Israel Defense Forces’ expanded operations in the Gaza Strip which began last night, the families of the some 229 confirmed hostages held in the Strip issue an urgent plea for a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the other members of the war cabinet.

“This night was the worst of all nights,” reads the message issued on behalf of the families, according to the Walla news site.

“It was an unending night, against the background of the IDF’s major operation in the Gaza Strip, and complete uncertainty regarding the fate of the abductees who are being held there and are also subject to the heavy bombardment.”

“Anxiety, frustration, and especially enormous anger that nobody from the war cabinet bothered to meet with the families of the abductees to explain to them one thing — whether the ground operation endangers the safety of the 229 hostages in Gaza,” the statement read.

“The families are anxious for the fate of their loved ones and are waiting for an explanation. Every minute that passes feels like an eternity,” the statement reads.