Hostage Families Forum: Israel hours away from ‘lost opportunity of the century’ as Trump visit draws to close

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum says Israel is hours away from the “lost opportunity of the century” as it intensifies operations in the Gaza Strip instead of reaching a deal to return hostages and joining diplomatic initiatives led by US President Donald Trump.

“Hostage families awoke this morning with a heavy heart and great fear over the reports of intensified attacks in the Strip and the approaching end of President Trump’s visit to the region,” the forum says in a statement.

“The missed historic opportunity — a resounding Israeli failure. The effort to stall the proposals that are on the table will be remembered for a lifetime,” the statement says.

“These are critical hours, hours that will determine the future of our loved ones, the future of Israeli society, and the future of the Middle East. We urge the prime minister and the president of the United States to reach a breakthrough,” the forum says, warning that time was running out.

Trump is not visiting Israel on his trip to the Middle East.

Government critics say that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unwillingness to make compromises on ending the war in Gaza and releasing hostages has left Israel on the sidelines while the US president has signed multi-billion-dollar agreements with his Gulf allies.