Families of Israeli hostages have urged the government to suspend the next phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire plan until Hamas releases the bodies of captives who died in captivity.
The families made their appeal on Monday, saying it would be “unacceptable” to move forward with any ceasefire arrangement without first securing the return of their loved ones’ remains.
They accused both Israeli and international negotiators of prioritizing political progress over humanitarian obligations.
The demand comes amid ongoing talks mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt aimed at ending the war and facilitating prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
Relatives of the hostages have continued to hold protests in Tel Aviv and outside government offices, pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make the retrieval of the bodies a precondition for any truce agreement.The Israeli government has yet to issue an official response to the families’ latest demand.