Freed Israeli hostages urge Netanyahu to fully implement Gaza ceasefire
A group of 56 freed Israeli hostages has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fully implement the Gaza ceasefire agreement and secure the release of those still held in the Palestinian territory.
In an open letter posted on Instagram, the former captives, who were released in earlier exchanges, warned that a return to war would endanger those still in captivity.
“We who have experienced the inferno know that a return to war is life-threatening for those still left behind,” they wrote. “Implement the agreement in full in one single manoeuvre.”
Among the signatories was Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young sons tragically died while in captivity.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted six weeks, ended on March 1 after a series of exchanges that saw Israeli captives released in return for Palestinian prisoners.
However, with many hostages still unaccounted for, pressure is mounting on the Israeli government to negotiate their safe return.
Gaza’s Health Ministry has confirmed 48,440 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s war on Gaza, while 111,845 people have been wounded.
The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, declaring thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead.
