Families of Israeli captives are increasingly anxious about the Israel Occupation Forces' (IOF) military activities in the Deir al-Balah area, where a number of Zionists taken captive by Hamas resistance group are believed to be held.

Why it matters:

The Israeli settlers have gradually come to believe that the Israeli army's continued war on Gaza and its actions have endangered their lives and the captives'. The captives are exposed to the Israeli attacks.

 

The big picture:

While Israel's IOF claims that its offensive in the Deir al-Balah area does not put the captives at serious risk, the families demand that the prime minister, the war minister, the chief of staff, and the IOF spokesperson appear before them and the Israeli public to clearly explain the claim.

 

What they are saying:

The families have voiced their frustrations, stating, “The people of Israel will not forgive anyone who knowingly endangered the hostages, both the living and the deceased. No one will be able to claim they didn’t know what was at stake.” 

The "Hostages and Missing Families Forum" in the occupied territories expresses alarm amid reports that the IOF has moved into the central Gaza area of Deir al-Balah for the first time, saying that the move endangers the captives who are believed to be held in these areas.

 

State of play:

The Israeli daily, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that following Iran's missile attacks on Israel on the first day of the 12-day Israeli war, searches by Israelis on Google for finding the safest countries for Jews increased by 5,000%.

 

Key points:

  • Families report a lack of organized updates and satisfactory answers from officials.
  • There is growing distrust towards Netanyahu’s war cabinet among Zionist families and reservists.
  • The demand for transparency and accountability is becoming increasingly urgent as the situation evolves.

 

Go deeper: 

Israeli Families Protest in Tel Aviv Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

 

Zohre Khazaee - Zohre Khazaee