At a press conference in Jerusalem, a coalition of organizations representing hostage families, bereaved families, and others voiced strong opposition to the emerging hostage deal, while looking ahead to the incoming Trump administration. Their message was clear: "Now is the time for victory."
Speaking from the Courage Tent in Jerusalem, representatives gathered to address two pressing matters: recent progress toward a partial hostage deal and the imminent transition to the Trump administration. The speakers urged Prime Minister Netanyahu not to accept any agreement that would leave some hostages behind, while also appealing in English to the incoming U.S. administration to honor their commitments regarding hostage release and support for Israel.
"Mr. Prime Minister, after 15 months of fighting, the deal you're now considering would effectively condemn most of the hostages to death," declared Zvika Mor, chairman of the Hope Forum. "We're letting Hamas dictate terms when it should be the other way around. They haven't even provided basic information about the hostages - this lets them claim later they 'can't find' or 'don't know about' certain captives. I implore you: bring everyone home at once, on the same day, in the same bus. We cannot accept a deal that saves the first group of hostages at the expense of those left behind. I want my son home - along with everyone else."
Yehoshua Shani, who heads the Courage Forum, echoed these sentiments: "Prime Minister, over these past 15 months, we've met numerous times. We heard your unwavering commitment to total victory, the dismantling of Hamas, and the return of all hostages. At this crucial juncture, don't cave to a deal that contradicts everything you've promised. The Trump administration takes office in days, removing what you've cited as a major constraint - Biden's resistance to decisive action. We're confident the Trump administration will fully support Israel's pursuit of complete victory and the return of all hostages."
Reserve Major Gilad Ach, CEO of the Reservists' Movement, offered a military perspective: "After 15 months of intense combat, we reservists are bearing the brunt of this war of attrition with its endless cycle of raids. We keep entering the same areas, clearing them out, withdrawing - only to let the enemy regroup before we return to do it all over again. There's only one viable solution: achieving decisive victory. This isn't just rhetoric - it requires two concrete steps. First, we must secure buffer zones both along the northern border and in Gaza to prevent enemy reinforcement. Second, we need to facilitate the voluntary relocation of Gaza residents. Any other approach will only lead to more casualties, both now and in the future, perpetuating this endless cycle of violence."
Caroline Glick, a prominent commentator and mother of a reservist, added: "We've spent fifteen months waiting for an administration that wouldn't hold us back from achieving total victory. Now, as the administration that constrained us departs, we have an opportunity to work with Trump's team to achieve three critical objectives: complete victory over Hamas, preventing Gaza from becoming a future threat, and securing the release of all hostages. The Biden administration prevented us from achieving these goals - now is our moment for victory."
The press conference comes amid broader mobilization efforts. Right-wing organizations, spearheaded by hostage families from the Hope Forum, have launched a campaign called "Time for Victory" ahead of Trump's inauguration. Their message was amplified last week by a massive billboard near Tel Aviv's Ayalon Highway, featuring Trump's stark warning to Hamas and Gaza residents: "Release everyone by January 20, or face hellfire." The groups plan to escalate their efforts with nationwide demonstrations this Thursday, organizing rallies at hundreds of intersections across Israel.
With 8 short days to go until Trump's inauguration, and wit h both the incoming and outgoing U.S. administrations fighting tooth and nail to achieve a final hostage deal and possible end to the war, it's anyone's guess what will happen.
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