More than 50 former Israeli hostages have called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fully implement the Gaza ceasefire agreement and secure the release of those still held captive by Palestinian militants.
In a letter shared on Instagram on Friday, 56 ex-hostages emphasized the urgency of preventing further conflict. “We who have experienced the inferno know that a return to war is life-threatening for those still left behind,” they wrote.
Among the signatories was Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young sons perished while in captivity. The group urged Netanyahu to “implement the agreement in full, in one single maneuver.”
Their appeal follows the release of a Hamas video showing Israeli hostage Matan Angrest, who turned 22 while in captivity, calling on the government to advance the second phase of the ceasefire deal.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which lasted six weeks from January to March 1, facilitated the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While large-scale hostilities have yet to resume, tensions remain high.
Israel has indicated a willingness to extend the first phase of the truce until mid-April, but Hamas insists on transitioning to the second phase, which could lead to a permanent ceasefire.
Of the 251 hostages taken in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, 58 remain in Gaza, including 34 whom the Israeli military has declared dead.
A Hamas delegation is set to meet Egyptian officials on Saturday to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire. A senior Hamas official stated that the group would demand Israel implement the agreement, begin negotiations for the second phase, and open border crossings for humanitarian aid.
Hamas is pushing for a comprehensive agreement, including a permanent ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade, reconstruction efforts, and financial support based on decisions from a recent Arab summit in Cairo. The group has also signaled its willingness to negotiate a prisoner exchange, which could include Israeli-American captives.
Comments