Witkoff to hostages’ families: ‘The plan is not to expand the war, but to end it’

US special envoy Steve Witkoff meets with hostages' families at Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, August 2, 2025. (Paulina Patimer/ Hostages and Missing Families Forum)
US special envoy Steve Witkoff meets with hostages' families at Hostages Square, in Tel Aviv, August 2, 2025. (Paulina Patimer/ Hostages and Missing Families Forum)

US special envoy Steve Witkoff tells families of hostages in Tel Aviv that a majority of Israelis and Gazans want hostages held by Hamas to be returned, as quoted by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a Hebrew statement.

“A majority of Israelis want the hostages at home, and a majority of Gaza’s public wants the return of hostages because they want the rehabilitation of the Strip,” he tells families at Hostages Square.

“There is no victory without bringing everyone home; all of you have become part of my family,” he adds.

“The plan is not to expand the war, but to end it,” he says, adding that talks should now focus on ending the war and bringing home all the hostages, instead of a partial deal.

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the meeting went on for nearly three hours.

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