Hostage families say missing momentum for hostage deal would be ‘serious failure’

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum release a statement expressing concern over reports that negotiations for a deal to free those held in Gaza are not moving forward.

“Missing the current momentum would be a serious failure; every day the war continues is an achievement for Hamas and a serious risk for our hostages and soldiers,” the statement reads.

The families refer to a Channel 12 poll showing that 74 percent of Israelis, including 60% of people who voted for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, back an agreement with Hamas that would release all the hostages at once in exchange for an end to the Gaza war.

“All the polls and data show that an absolute majority of the nation of Israel wants an end to the war in Gaza and the return of hostages, and agrees that it is in Israel’s interest, including a decisive majority among coalition voters,” the statement reads.