Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are demanding that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu move forward with the second phase of a ceasefire deal, accusing him of delaying their return. During a visit to the Israeli embassy in London, families expressed frustration over what they see as unnecessary delays in negotiations.
Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod was taken hostage on October 7, claimed that Netanyahu is “playing games” with their fate. “He wants them for free, he wants them cheap, he wants them silent,” Cohen said, arguing that the Israeli leader fears the surviving hostages will speak out about their treatment. Other family members echoed this sentiment, calling for all 59 remaining captives to be released at once, rather than through a slow, staggered process.
According to The Times UK, Netanyahu has supported extending the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-next month, while Hamas is pushing for an immediate transition to the second phase, which could lead to a permanent halt to the war. Netanyahu has warned Hamas of “consequences you can’t imagine” if all hostages are not released.
Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, described his grim conditions in captivity. “For his birthday, I just wanted to give him a warm shower, or some of my chicken soup, or at least five minutes of daylight,” she said. “Instead, we have to keep pushing for the government to end this story and bring all the hostages home—on one day, on one bus.”
Netanyahu’s office has not yet responded to the criticism, but he assured recently freed hostage Eli Sharabi that Israel remains committed to securing the release of all captives. “Hostages, certainly the living, urgently need to return home to their families,” he stated, vowing “not to relent for a moment.”
