A group representing the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza has urged the public to mobilize after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they had found “a number of bodies” in the conflict-ridden area.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued their call as thousands of people across Israel gathered on Saturday, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.
The IDF stated that they had “located a number of bodies during combat in the Gaza Strip,” but they have not confirmed whether any of the bodies belong to the hostages. They also urged the public to “refrain from spreading rumors.” Despite this, many Israelis fear that the announcement indicates that more hostages have been found dead, intensifying calls for the government to secure a ceasefire agreement.
Israel launched its military operation against Hamas in Gaza following the group’s cross-border attacks on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 250 people being taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Since the war began, more than 40,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry.
“Netanyahu abandoned the hostages! This is now a fact,” the families’ forum stated.
“Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country,” the statement continued, with the forum promising to release further details on Sunday.
U.S. President Joe Biden said Saturday evening that his staff has been in communication with Israeli officials about the situation, noting that the bodies have yet to be identified. Biden also called for an end to the conflict, expressing optimism that a ceasefire-for-hostages deal could be reached, adding that parties involved in the negotiation “agree on the principles.”
“It’s time this war ended,” Biden said. “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement. It’s time to end it. It’s time to finish it.”
The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, acting as mediators, have renewed efforts to negotiate a hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas this month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a press conference in the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, 28 October 2023.
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The mediators have proposed a three-phase plan: the first phase involves a six-week ceasefire; the second phase includes the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of all IDF forces from Gaza; and the third phase focuses on reconstruction.
However, the proposal, if accepted, allows Israel and Hamas to halt discussions after the first phase. Israel has made it clear that a break in the fighting does not necessarily mean they are ready to agree to a permanent ceasefire.
More than 100 hostages taken from Israel were released under a temporary truce last year, and eight hostages have been rescued alive so far, including Farhan Al-Qadi, who was found in a Hamas tunnel this week. However, over 100 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza.
CNN previously reported that there are 107 hostages, both living and dead, being held in Gaza, according to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Of those, 103 hostages are from the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with 33 presumed dead according to the forum.
