Tikvah Forum: Witkoff parameters "unacceptable to us"

Baloons released in memory of the Bibas family. — Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

The Tikvah Forum representing some of the hostage families released a statement today (Sunday) stating that the Witkoff parameters for releasing the hostages were too slow and "unacceptable," and that Israel should be far more aggressive in ensuring their release.

According to their statement:

"We demand to abandon the Witkoff framework and return to the Trump framework - all together or unleashing hell on Hamas. As we have said in recent months, only all hostages together in one bus, without separation between fathers and young people, between those with foreign citizenship and 'only' Israelis, or between those who have recently shown signs of life and those who are 'just' alive. Any selection among the living or selection among the murdered is unacceptable.

"The people of Israel need to understand the meaning of this framework - at this moment a ceasefire is taking place without any compensation for Israel. A Ramadan ceasefire is a huge prize for Hamas, and it must not be given without the return of all hostages home. A model of 2 return phases, especially when the second phase is again not certain at all, is abandonment of hostages left behind.

"The Israeli government needs to internalize (that) - the hostages don't have time for unnecessary phases. We see the condition of those who have returned. Israel needs to act decisively and use all its tools to pressure Hamas and not surrender again and again. The Witkoff framework is not acceptable to us, and we are shocked that the government has accepted it (emphasis on original)."

Earlier today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel was halting all humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, and would take "additional measures" if Hamas did not free the hostages.

For its part, Hamas responded by rejecting any release of hostages outside the terms of the original hostage deal, specifically its second phase, which requires Israel to agree to entirely withdraw from the Gaza Strip, end the war, and that the Gaza Strip itself be rebuilt.