Hawkish hostage forum rejects deal that will ‘pave the way for the next massacre’

The hawkish Tikva Forum, which represents a group of hostage families and relatives of fallen soldiers, says that it is “concerned” about the imminent hostage release-ceasefire deal that Israel and Hamas have agreed to, and which will come into effect on Sunday.

The group warns that the agreed-upon deal, which will see the hostages released in phases, will “effectively leave dozens of kidnapped people behind and pave the way for the next massacre and more hostages.”

“We are excited, like the entire Israeli people, when we see the hostages returning home after a long and cruel captivity,” the forum says but warns that “this deal is dangerous, both for the hostages who will remain in captivity and for the entire Israeli people.”

The forum appeals for cabinet members to “consider those who will be left behind, those who will not return, and those who will be killed in future terror attacks” before voting to approve the deal’s framework tomorrow morning.

“We will not stop or remain silent until we ensure the return of all the hostages, the safety of Israeli citizens and the IDF soldiers, who may pay the most terrible price of all,” it adds, urging government members to resign in protest of the deal.