The Hostages Families Forum is calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to clarify remarks he made last night and publicly commit to securing the return of all 50 hostages still held in Gaza, including those Israel has declared dead.
During a press conference with local media, Netanyahu was asked whether he would agree to a partial hostage release deal.
He avoided giving a direct answer, instead stating that he is “committed to… the release of all 20 of our hostages,” referring only to those Israel believes are still alive.
“Assure the people of Israel that you are committed to returning everyone, the living and the dead,” the forum says in a statement.
“The prime minister must clarify that he was wrong, and that his commitment is to all 50 hostages, alive and dead, to ensure the return of the living for rehabilitation and the dead for a proper and respectful burial.”
According to Israeli authorities, 28 of the 50 remaining hostages have been confirmed dead based on intelligence, with some killed during the October 7 attacks and others dying in captivity.
This includes the body of an IDF soldier held since 2014. Officials have also voiced “grave concern” for two other captives who have not been seen or heard from in nearly two years.
