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| Netanyahu meets Israeli hostages' families anxious over Gaza war plans | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| "We want to bring them home alive", says relative of hostage held by Hamas, at Tel Aviv vigil | "We want to bring them home alive", says relative of hostage held by Hamas, at Tel Aviv vigil |
| "We want to bring them home alive", says relative of hostage held by Hamas, at Tel Aviv vigil | "We want to bring them home alive", says relative of hostage held by Hamas, at Tel Aviv vigil |
| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas, who have expressed concern about the intensifying attacks on Gaza. | |
| The Missing Families Forum said the night when troops moved into northern Gaza had been "the worst" so far. | |
| It complained that no-one had explained "whether the ground operation endangers the well-being of the 229 hostages". | It complained that no-one had explained "whether the ground operation endangers the well-being of the 229 hostages". |
| Mr Netanyahu has promised to do everything possible to bring them home. | |
| Ahead of the meeting, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said their relatives "are anxious about the fate of their loved ones and are waiting for an explanation" of the Israeli military's actions. | |
| In response to the statement, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he would meet representatives of the group on Sunday. | |
| The hostages were taken by Hamas gunmen during an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October in which 1,400 people were killed. | The hostages were taken by Hamas gunmen during an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October in which 1,400 people were killed. |
| Those in captivity in Gaza include dozens of children and elderly people, as well as military personnel. At least 135 are foreign or dual nationals, including 54 Thais, 15 Argentines and two Britons, according to the Israeli government. | Those in captivity in Gaza include dozens of children and elderly people, as well as military personnel. At least 135 are foreign or dual nationals, including 54 Thais, 15 Argentines and two Britons, according to the Israeli government. |
| 'My family is in Gaza': The solo vigil that sparked protests | 'My family is in Gaza': The solo vigil that sparked protests |
| 'My family is in Gaza': The solo vigil that sparked protests | 'My family is in Gaza': The solo vigil that sparked protests |
| Hamas - which is designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the UK and other powers - has so far released four hostages following mediation by Qatar and Egypt. Two elderly Israeli women were freed on Monday, while an American-Israeli woman and her daughter were freed on 20 October. | Hamas - which is designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the UK and other powers - has so far released four hostages following mediation by Qatar and Egypt. Two elderly Israeli women were freed on Monday, while an American-Israeli woman and her daughter were freed on 20 October. |
| There had been speculation before Friday night's ground operation that Qatar-brokered negotiations over another release deal were accelerating. | There had been speculation before Friday night's ground operation that Qatar-brokered negotiations over another release deal were accelerating. |
| But Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Saturday that there was "a deliberate desire of parties with interests, led by Hamas, to make cynical exploitation, psychological terrorism, and to influence our population which is in such a sensitive situation". | But Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Saturday that there was "a deliberate desire of parties with interests, led by Hamas, to make cynical exploitation, psychological terrorism, and to influence our population which is in such a sensitive situation". |
| "Most importantly, when we have the information, we will provide it," he added. "Returning the hostages home is a supreme national effort. And all our activities, operational, intelligence, are aimed at realizing a goal." | "Most importantly, when we have the information, we will provide it," he added. "Returning the hostages home is a supreme national effort. And all our activities, operational, intelligence, are aimed at realizing a goal." |
| More on Israel-Gaza war | More on Israel-Gaza war |
| Follow live: Latest updates | Follow live: Latest updates |
| Explained: What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and why now? | Explained: What is happening in Israel and Gaza, and why now? |
| History behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflict | History behind the story: The Israel-Palestinian conflict |
| Bowen: What increased strikes on Gaza could mean | Bowen: What increased strikes on Gaza could mean |
| Hostages: Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel? | Hostages: Who are the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel? |
| Released hostage Yocheved Lifschitz, an 85-year-old grandmother who was kidnapped alongside her husband Oded from Kibbutz Nir Oz, told reporters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday that she "went through hell". | Released hostage Yocheved Lifschitz, an 85-year-old grandmother who was kidnapped alongside her husband Oded from Kibbutz Nir Oz, told reporters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday that she "went through hell". |
| She described being hit by sticks on the journey to Gaza and being taken into a huge network of underground tunnels that "looked like a spider's web". | She described being hit by sticks on the journey to Gaza and being taken into a huge network of underground tunnels that "looked like a spider's web". |
| Mrs Lifschitz also said that most of the hostages were being "treated well". | Mrs Lifschitz also said that most of the hostages were being "treated well". |
| On Thursday, the spokesman for Hamas's military wing, Abu Ubaida, said around 50 hostages had been killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. | On Thursday, the spokesman for Hamas's military wing, Abu Ubaida, said around 50 hostages had been killed in Israeli air strikes on Gaza. |
| He provided no evidence and it was impossible for the BBC to verify the claim. But the Israeli military has repeatedly said it has bombed Hamas's tunnels. | He provided no evidence and it was impossible for the BBC to verify the claim. But the Israeli military has repeatedly said it has bombed Hamas's tunnels. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Israel & the Palestinians | Israel & the Palestinians |
| Israel-Gaza war | Israel-Gaza war |
| Israel | Israel |
| Palestinian territories | Palestinian territories |
| Gaza | Gaza |
| Hamas | Hamas |