Jerusalem (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Israeli hostage families warn that the peace deal cannot proceed until militant group Hamas returns all hostages, calling any concession a moral failure.
As reported by Sky News, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the Gaza peace agreement must halt until Hamas returns all hostages.
What did families say must happen before the Gaza peace deal continues?
Israel confirmed that none of the 28 hostage bodies have been returned, while Hamas said it needs more equipment to hand over the remaining bodies.
The statement stated,
“While Hamas continues to violate the agreement and still holds 19 hostages captive, there is no justification for any unilateral concessions by Israel. The agreement cannot continue to be implemented without Hamas returning all the hostages.”
According to the forum, ensuring every hostage’s return is the responsibility of the Israeli government,
“but it is also shared by the international community and mediators who helped shape the deal.”
The statement added, “
All must ensure that Hamas fulfils its commitments and that the agreement is upheld in full. Any decision that weakens pressure on Hamas or allows the agreement to continue while hostages remain unreturned would be a grave moral and leadership failure.”
In a message to Israel, the forum warned that abandoning its people would lead to national ruin.
What did Israel say about Hamas’ hostage bodies could stall Gaza deal?
Israeli intelligence informed the US that Hamas could have additional hostage bodies, according to a report.
According to Axios, Israel told American officials that Hamas has been failing to recover the bodies of dead hostages, warning the Gaza deal cannot move forward until action is taken.
The statement comes after Hamas said it needs extra equipment to return the remaining hostage bodies.
Hamas said in a statement,
“The remaining bodies require significant efforts and specialised equipment to search for and retrieve, and we are making a great effort to close this file.”
Israel reported that Hamas has returned nine of 28 hostages’ bodies so far, calling it a violation of the Gaza peace agreement.
How mediators are pressuring the US on Gaza hostage talks?
Qatari outlet Al-Arabi reported that Gaza deal mediators have urged the US to convince Israel to drop its demand for all hostages’ bodies before continuing negotiations.
The initial phase of the deal is in effect, but issues such as Gaza’s governance and the prospect of statehood remain unresolved.
According to reports, Egyptian teams are already working to locate the bodies, with Turkish assistance set to start soon.
The report added that mediators have informed the US that Hamas is sharing all available information.
What did Benjamin Netanyahu say about hostages and Gaza at the October 7 memorial?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the October 7 memorial in Jerusalem, said Israel is pledged to bring all hostages home.
He told families of victims,
“I know how great your pain is.I know how in one swoop your life changed… I would like to recognise on behalf of all our people that our lives are safe only thanks to their sacrifice.”
The Prime Minister said Israel will accomplish all military objectives and dismissed accusations of genocide in Gaza as false.
Mr Netanyahu added,
“On October 7, there was a monstrous, cruel murder of babies, children, elderly people. I am telling you now, if those murderers would have been able to do that, they would have massacred every single one of us. That is a real genocide.”
What did UK say about Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan?
UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said, “The Prime Minister is expected to say:
“We stand determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a lasting peace, and a stable, secure future for the whole region. Today is the first, crucial phase of ending this war and now we must deliver the second phase, in full.”
He added,
“The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security.”
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated,
“The UK has worked intensively with international partners in recent months to create the momentum that has led to President Trump’s peace initiative, and to support the ceasefire that is now in place, but we now need to work with the same intensity and urgency to develop a plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.”
She said,
“Gaza has been completely devastated. The ceasefire gives us the opportunity not just to urgently scale up humanitarian efforts but also to look to the future of Gaza’s recovery. Rubble must be cleared, infrastructure repaired, healthcare restored and homes rebuilt.”
Ms Cooper stated,
“UK support delivered through UNICEF, the WFP and the NRC will help towards immediate humanitarian needs. Long-term recovery must be Palestinian-led but broad public and private investment will be needed to deliver the scale of reconstruction necessary. “
The foreign secretary added,
“The UK will also play a crucial part in that process, convening different parties as we are doing today with Egypt and bringing in expertise, experience and investment from the City of London to support reconstruction.”
Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan
The first phase includes the release of all remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Israel releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7, 2023
A core condition of the plan is that Hamas must completely disarm and have no role, “directly or indirectly,” in the future governance of Gaza
The plan outlines that Gaza will be temporarily governed by a technocratic Palestinian committee, with oversight from an international “Board of Peace” chaired by Donald Trump
