Hostage families demand clarification from PM over ‘failure’ to hold phase 2 talks: ‘A clear danger to those held’

The families of hostages say that the lack of talks on a second stage of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal is a “clear and tangible” danger to their loved ones, as they demand “urgent clarifications” from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the apparent lack of progress in negotiations.

“The failure to hold phase two [talks] represents a clear and tangible danger to the dozens of live abductees, and the ability to bury the dead on Israeli soil,” the forum says in a statement.

“The news of the advance return of hostages on Saturday is clear proof that it is possible to expedite the timetables and return everyone in a much shorter period of time,” the statement to Netanyahu reads.

“The families of the hostages demand urgent clarifications regarding the continuity of the agreement and the clear path to returning our loved ones from captivity. The decisions you will make in the coming moments are fateful,” they say to the premier.

All six remaining living hostages slated to be released in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal will be freed Saturday, Israeli and Hamas officials said yesterday, in a surprise move apparently linked to growing worries that the ceasefire and captive release deal in the Gaza Strip could collapse.

The terror group also said that it would also transfer the bodies of mother Shiri Silberman Bibas and her two young children Ariel and Kfir to Israel tomorrow, as well as that of a fourth unnamed hostage. Israel has confirmed it is expecting to receive four bodies, without identifying them.

Israel has said it will begin negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal in the coming days.

Fifty-nine Israelis will remain in captivity after the completion of phase one of the deal, of whom 35 have been confirmed dead by Israeli authorities.