The Israeli Captives’ Families Committee has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “choosing to sacrifice the lives of captives” amid the renewed aggression on Gaza Strip.

The committee said the government’s decision to resume airstrikes before the last captive is returned from Gaza has “realized the greatest fears of the families, prisoners, and Israelis.” They expressed horror, anger, and fear at the “deliberate sabotage of the process of returning prisoners from Gaza.”

“Returning to fighting before the last prisoner is returned will cost us 59 captives still in Gaza, who can still be rescued and returned,” the committee warned. They accused the government of “abandoning the prisoners” and said the claim that the military pressure is aimed at returning the captives is “complete misinformation” as it puts captives and soldiers at risk.

According to Israeli media, 24 of the 59 prisoners still believed to be alive in Gaza. The committee called for the ceasefire to be resumed, stating that “there will be no security, no victory, and no salvation until the last prisoner is returned.”

Hamas held Netanyahu “fully responsible for the repercussions of the treacherous aggression on Gaza,” warning that the prime minister and his “extremist government are making a decision to overturn the ceasefire agreement and are exposing prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate.” The movement called on mediators to hold Netanyahu accountable for violating and overturning the agreement.

The renewed Israeli aggression has already resulted in over 356 deaths and dozens of injuries in just five hours, according to reports. ‘Israel’ also closed the Rafah crossing amid the escalation.

Source: Agencies (translated by Al-Manar English Websites)