Israeli Hostage Families Warn Gaza Offensive Risks Death Sentence Amid Ceasefire Deal Dispute

Relatives of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have strongly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal that Hamas has agreed to, which would free at least 10 living captives and begin negotiations for the remaining hostages. They warn that Netanyahu's insistence on pursuing a full military conquest of Gaza City, despite the ceasefire agreement, risks sentencing the remaining hostages to death and prolonging the war for political reasons. The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have also condemned the planned offensive, warning it will cause massive death, destruction, and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where access to essentials is already dwindling. Netanyahu has not convened his cabinet to discuss Hamas's acceptance of the 60-day truce, and his far-right coalition partners oppose any ceasefire deal. Opposition parties and hostage families argue that the ongoing conflict has lost all sense and demand the war end with the safe return of the hostages. Meanwhile, the Israeli military is advancing with plans to take control of Gaza City, despite international and domestic warnings against escalation.