Hostages’ families declare ‘state of emergency,’ set up encampment at PM’s house

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum declares a “state of emergency” over the IDF’s offensive in Gaza City, announcing that it has set up a tent encampment outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence.

The announcement of the encampment, which the group says has police approval, comes after some relatives of hostages camped out last night outside the residence in Jerusalem upon hearing news that the Gaza City operation had begun.

“Following reports of tank incursions and massive bombardments in Gaza City, hostage families, terrified for their loved ones’ fate, spontaneously gathered in the late night hours outside the Prime Minister’s Residence on Azza Street in Jerusalem, crying out for the rescue of their loved ones and all hostages,” the group, which represents relatives of most of the hostages, says in a statement.

Relatives of hostages have expressed increasingly urgent fears that the operation to conquer Gaza City will endanger their loved ones. There are 48 hostages held by terror groups in Gaza, including some 20 who are thought to still be alive.

The group says the encampment “will remain until Netanyahu listens and implements the people’s will — the immediate return of all hostages and an end to the war.”

The group says it will hold demonstrations at the encampment every evening at 7:30 p.m.