The Hostages and Missing Families Forum praises the prime minister’s move to indefinitely close the Rafah Crossing between Egypt and Gaza, accusing Hamas of failing to live up to its side of the ceasefire deal.
The government “must take a firm stance against Hamas and demand the return of all 18 [deceased] hostages without exception, and use every lever at its disposal,” the Forum says in a statement.
“The government must declare that it will not proceed with implementing the agreement until all the fallen hostages are returned, in accordance with the Trump framework,” the statement continues.
Earlier tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the crossing would remain shuttered, after it was scheduled to open for the movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip.
The crossing’s reopening will be considered “based on the extent to which Hamas fulfills its part in returning the fallen hostages, and in implementing the agreed-upon framework,” Netanyahu’s office said.
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