Families of hostages held in Gaza since October 7 are calling for international pressure on Israel to negotiate their release with Hamas.
At a Glance
- Hostage families urge global action to pressure Israel into negotiating with Hamas
- 252 people were taken hostage on October 7, with 128 still in Gaza and 35 believed dead
- Hamas has accepted a truce and hostage release deal proposed by mediators
- Israeli officials state Hamas’s terms are unacceptable, but negotiations continue
- Families have presented evidence to the ICC, seeking justice for the October 7 attacks
Families Plead for International Support
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is intensifying its efforts to secure the release of loved ones still held captive in Gaza. They are calling on countries with citizens among the hostages to exert influence on the Israeli government to agree to a deal with Hamas. This plea comes as Hamas announced its acceptance of a truce and hostage release proposal put forward by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The October 7 assault by Hamas resulted in 252 people being taken hostage, including foreigners and dual nationals from the United States, Thailand, France, Britain, and Russia. Currently, 128 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 35 believed to be deceased. Families have been staging protests in Israel, demanding that the government agree to negotiate with Hamas for their release.
Negotiations at a Standstill
Despite Hamas’s acceptance of the proposed deal, Israeli officials have stated that the terms are not acceptable. However, negotiations are ongoing in Cairo. Previous efforts to reach an agreement stalled due to Hamas’s demand for a complete cessation of hostilities in Gaza, which Israel rejected outright. The situation remains tense, with Israeli tanks recently conducting a “pinpoint operation” in southern Gaza, capturing the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing.
“It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to stop the suffering that has engulfed the region,” said António Guterres, calling for peace, the restoration of international law and justice for all victims and survivors.
A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute has indicated that a majority of Jewish Israelis prioritize a hostage release deal over military action in Rafah. This sentiment reflects the growing concern among the Israeli public for the safety and return of the hostages.
International Community Responds
On the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack, UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked the occasion by urging the global community to condemn the attack and calling for the immediate release of all hostages. Guterres emphasized the need for peace, the restoration of international law, and justice for victims and survivors.
In a significant move, a group of 100 former hostages and families presented over 1,000 pages of evidence to International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors. They are calling for arrest warrants for Hamas leaders on charges including genocide, hostage-taking, enforced disappearances, torture, and sexual violence. ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan is investigating alleged crimes by both sides in the conflict and has called for the immediate release of all hostages.
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, which began in response to the October 7 attacks, has resulted in over 41,500 deaths and the displacement of 1.9 million people. Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Agnès Callamard, has emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has warned of a potential genocide risk in Gaza, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
“I cannot imagine the torture they are forced to endure every day,” he added, saying that Hamas and other militants must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the hostages and provide necessary care.
As the conflict continues, Amnesty International calls for respect for international law, truth, justice, and reparation for all victims. The organization has investigated war crimes by both Hamas and Israeli forces, including indiscriminate attacks and collective punishment, highlighting the complex and devastating nature of this ongoing crisis.