Gaza Ceasefire
Families of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza have intensified their calls for the government to expand the recently established ceasefire with Iran to include the Gaza Strip. They argue that the same diplomatic momentum used to halt hostilities with Tehran should now be channeled into bringing an end to the war in Gaza and ensuring the safe return of those still in captivity.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the relatives of Israelis abducted by Hamas during its attacks, released a statement on Tuesday urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to act swiftly. “Those who can achieve a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza,” the group said. “This is a critical window of opportunity — the ceasefire must be extended to include Gaza.”
The forum’s message highlighted the emotional strain endured by Israeli families since the October 7 Hamas attacks and throughout the subsequent conflict. “After 12 days and nights during which the people of Israel could not sleep because of Iran, we can finally go back to not sleeping because of the hostages,” the statement read, underscoring the psychological toll of the ongoing uncertainty over the fate of those captured.
Official Israeli figures suggest that around 50 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with at least 20 believed to be alive. Families fear that failure to leverage the ceasefire with Iran to broker a deal in Gaza could cost more lives and prolong their suffering. They described inaction as a “grave failure” on the government’s part.
The plea from the families has gained traction among political leaders. Opposition leader Yair Lapid took to social media platform X to support the call. “And now Gaza. This is the moment to close that front as well. To bring the hostages home, to end the war. Israel needs to start rebuilding,” Lapid wrote, indicating that the time was ripe for diplomatic expansion.
Yair Golan, head of the centre-left Democrats Party and a former major general in the Israel Defense Forces, also voiced strong support for a Gaza ceasefire. “Now is the time to complete the mission: Return all the hostages, end the war in Gaza, and stop once and for all the internal coup that threatens to make Israel weak, divided, and vulnerable,” Golan said in a post.
With the Iran ceasefire presenting a rare diplomatic breakthrough during months of regional conflict, many within Israeli civil society and political circles see it as a pivotal moment. The growing consensus is that Israel must not waste this opportunity to pursue a broader resolution that could bring long-sought relief to both the hostages and the wider population.
As pressure builds from grieving families and key opposition figures, the Israeli government finds itself at a crossroads — one where it must choose between continuing a military campaign or embracing diplomacy to achieve a more comprehensive peace.
