![Families of Israeli observation soldiers who were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from Nahal Oz protest for their release, August 21, 2024](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=900/2024/08/21/370355b0-5fa6-11ef-a8a8-27fa25dcdbd2__h268_w400.jpg)
In a chilling development, families of kidnapped individuals have reported receiving terrifying calls and messages from hostile entities, some even from the phone numbers of their loved ones held captive by Hamas.
Journalist Yolan Cohen revealed that numerous families, overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty, have reached out to security services and the Hostages’ Administration to share the horrific threats.
The messages contained chilling warnings like, "If you don’t protest, you will never see your loved ones again," along with demands for ransom payments. These heartless threats claimed that without payment, no information about the captives would be provided.
The Shin Bet suspects that these cruel tactics are being orchestrated by elements connected to Iran or Hamas.
* Kikar Shabbat contributed to this article.