Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza call for their safe return - BBC News

"All suffering" would end "on both sides" if hostages are released, one father says.

21 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, PA MediaImage caption, Or Levy (centre) is being held hostage and witnessed the murder of his wife Eynav (left). Their son is being looked after by relativesBy Lucy Manning & Sofia Ferreira SantosBBC NewsThe families of seven Israeli hostages being held in Gaza have called for their release and safe return, at a press conference in London.

The father of a 19-year-old being held said "all suffering" would end "on both sides" if the hostages came home.

The families added that recent failures in negotiation talks between Israel and Hamas caused "despair and desperation".

Thursday marks five months since the conflict began when Hamas fighters stormed southern Israel on 7 October.

Speaking at the Israeli embassy on Thursday, the father of Nimrod Cohen, a 19-year-old soldier taken hostage, said officials needed to move forwards with negotiations.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68505047

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