Hostages families ‘horrified’ by expanded Gaza op, suggest captives being ‘sacrificed’

In response to the announcement of the expanding military operation in Rafah, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum issues a statement saying, “Has it been decided to sacrifice the hostages for the sake of ‘territorial gains?'”

It adds. “Instead of securing the release of the hostages through a deal and ending the war, the Israeli government is sending more soldiers into Gaza to fight in the same areas where battles have already taken place repeatedly.”

The Forum says families “were horrified to wake up this morning to the defense minister’s announcement that the military operation in Gaza would be expanded for the purpose of ‘capturing extensive territory.’

“The responsibility for the release of the 59 hostages held by Hamas lies with the Israeli government. Our grave concern is that this mission has been pushed to the bottom of its priorities and has become merely a secondary objective.”