The families of Israeli captives slammed Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over decision to expand the offensive in Gaza, saying that the occupation authorities are disregarding the people by “choosing territories over hostages.”
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said it is releasing the statement in response to the announcement by an Israeli official earlier this morning that the cabinet plan for operations that was approved last night includes the “conquering of Gaza and holding territories.”
The forum represents the majority of relatives of those held captive in Gaza.
“The plan approved by the cabinet deserves the name ‘Smotrich-Netanyahu Plan’ for giving up on the hostage and its abandonment of national and security resilience,” the forum said in a statement, referring to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Netanyahu and his war cabinet have approved an expansion of the ongoing ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan.
For over 63 days, the Israeli occupation has imposed a total siege on the Strip, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid,… pic.twitter.com/8IjxmwWqKZ
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 5, 2025
Throughout the war, Smotrich and others on the far-right have urged using the war as an “opportunity to reestablish Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip.”
“The government admitted this morning that it is choosing territory over hostages, and this is against the will of over 70% of the people,” the forum said.
Polls have consistently shown that a large majority of the Israeli public favors a deal that would see all the captives held in Gaza released, “even if it means ending the war.”
Source: Israeli media
