Hostages Forum slams Netanyahu for ‘selling illusion’ that military pressure will free hostages

The Hostage Families Forum slams Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he says that Hamas does not want a deal and that Israel must act to eliminate the terror group, amid stalled ceasefire talks.

“For 22 months now the public has been sold the illusion that military pressure and intense fighting will bring the hostages back,” the group, which represents a majority of the families of the 50 hostages still being held, says in a statement.

“Even before the draft for a comprehensive deal was written, they’re telling us that an agreement is not feasible,” the group adds. “The truth must be told: Expanding the war endangers the lives of the hostages who are at risk of imminent death. We saw the chilling images of the hostages in the tunnels, they won’t survive more long days of horror.”

The group suggests that expanding the war in Gaza — which is reportedly under debate by the cabinet — “is a guarantee of the failure of the century. There is no victory nor any revival in it.”