Families of Israeli Hostages Held by Hamas Growing Increasingly Worried as Conflict Intensifies

The Israeli military is currently engaged in a conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the families of hostages held by the militant group are growing increasingly worried that the two goals of the war – toppling Hamas and rescuing the hostages – will collide with devastating consequences.

Talks to free some of the 230 hostages stalled on Friday after Hamas demanded that Israel allow fuel deliveries to Gaza and declined to guarantee the release of a large number of foreign captives, according to a former U.S. official with knowledge of the negotiations. The talks broke down before Israel launched the second phase of its offensive Friday evening and sent ground troops into Gaza.

The Israeli military has sought to assure the public that it can achieve both goals of its war on Hamas simultaneously, but the former U.S. official said that Hamas has been “insistent on receiving fuel” in exchange for the hostages.

The conflict has already caused extensive damage to the Gaza Strip, and the risk of harming Israeli hostages in a ground operation of unprecedented intensity is a major concern. The families of the hostages are hoping for a peaceful resolution that will allow for the safe return of their loved ones.