On October 7, 2023, several Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel and managed to take several hundred people back to Gaza as hostages, in addition to murdering over 1,200 people.
Their safety has been the subject of great concern to the Israeli public, who campaign for their release and safety as the IDF's war on Hamas continues. So far, several hostages have been released, most of them due to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Several hostages, including some who had been held captive by Hamas for several years prior to the war, were further released as part of the 2025 ceasefire and hostage release deal.
It is currently unknown exactly how many hostages are currently alive in Gaza.
"The impression received is that the Israelis came to Doha to thwart the talks and find justification for renewing the war in Gaza," a foreign source said.
"The effort to sabotage the proposals currently on the table will be remembered with contempt forever," the families stated.
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Ruby Chen, the father of slain hostage Itay Chen, began by describing his son and explaining how he was taken hostage.
Three Israeli officials told the Post on Wednesday that "there are no indications from the talks in Qatar that Hamas's position is shifting in a way that would allow for a deal."
This is the first time he has said this to Arab leaders in a formal setting, notably while in Qatar, which has played a major role in mediating the Gaza deal.
This marks the first such discussion since the October 7 terror massacre. This demand will be at the center of an official Security Council debate.
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Witkoff made the statements to families of the remaining hostages while speaking about the release of Edan Alexander.
An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the "Witkoff Framework" is the only viable path toward a deal.
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