Hostages Forum: If previous talks had succeeded, 6 slain hostages would be ‘with their families’

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum umbrella group issues a statement in the wake of an IDF probe into the killings of six hostages in a Gaza tunnel in August, saying it proves a deal is the only way to bring the remaining captives home.

The probe found that troops had no knowledge of the hostages being held in the Rafah tunnel and that while it operated “carefully,” it believes their presence likely led the Hamas captors to execute the six hostages.

“We share in the renewed pain of the families who were presented with the details of this devastating and heartbreaking investigation,” the forum says in a statement. “The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal.”

The organization says that hostages Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Alex Lobanov, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Almog Sarusi “should have returned home alive. Had the previous negotiations not collapsed — they would now be undergoing rehabilitation with their families.”

“We need a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages within a quick and predetermined timeframe,” the group adds.