Expanding war in northern Israel without reaching deal ‘death sentence’ for hostages: Israeli families

By Khaled Yousef

JERUSALEM (AA) - Families of Israeli captives said Saturday that expanding a military operation in northern Israel without finalizing a hostage swap deal with Hamas is “a death sentence” for the hostages in the Gaza Strip.

"As long as Netanyahu is in power, the war will go on forever," the families said at a rally in Tel Aviv, according to the Haaretz newspaper.​​​​​​​

“Expanding the war in the north without a deal is a death sentence for them (hostages),” they said. “Netanyahu decided to shift the focus to the north and abandon all the hostages in the death tunnels.”

Israel currently holds at least 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in its jails, while it is estimated that 101 Israelis are being held in Gaza. Hamas said dozens of hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Indirect negotiations between Tel Aviv and the Palestinian resistance group have reached a critical stage, as Netanyahu remains committed to continuing the war in Gaza and controlling key areas in the south and center of the enclave, such as the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors.

Hamas, on the other hand, demands a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of those displaced without restrictions.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Nearly 41,200 victims, mostly women and children, have since been killed and more than 95,200 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population in the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala