Group of hostages’ families: We oppose any phased release deal

A group of hostages’ families is urging the government not to sign a deal with Hamas in Gaza that will see a phased release of captives.

At a press conference, the Tikva Forum’s Tzvika Mor says: “We say to the prime minister: If you intend to bring back all the hostages in one day, at once — we support it. But if you plan to go for another deal with stages and phases, where we don’t know if we’ll get our loved ones back, and if you plan to fall into Hamas’s trap again, we will oppose any such deal that endangers the hostages.”

Mor’s son Eitan is held in Gaza.

The Forum represents a more hawkish minority of hostages’ families who back the government’s declared objective to use overwhelming military might to force Hamas into releasing the captives abducted on October 7.

Many relatives of young male hostages fear a phased released would prevent their loved ones from being released, as they would be slated to be freed at later stages which many doubt will come to pass.