While Israel and much of the world celebrated the release of 20 living hostages and what many leaders called the “end of the war,” a deep sense of betrayal and anger has emerged among the families of the 24 hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza.
During U.S. President Donald Trump’s historic speech at the Knesset on Monday, it became clear that Hamas had violated the cease-fire agreement, returning only four bodies out of the 28 promised. The partial handover raised fears that many of the remaining bodies will be difficult or impossible to locate.
Convoy with the four bodies that were released on Monday
Despite the breach, the Israeli government has so far avoided harsh public statements, focusing instead on quiet diplomacy to retrieve the remaining bodies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF officials to discuss next steps.
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Orna and Ronen Netura, parents of slain hostage Omer Netura, during a meeting with Trump at the White House
(Photo: The White House)
Israeli officials said Hamas was warned that if it fails to locate and return the bodies, sanctions agreed upon in the deal will be enforced, including delaying Gaza’s reconstruction and restricting entry of aid, caravans, and heavy equipment. Still, Israeli officials acknowledge that excessive pressure could lead to accusations that Israel is undermining the cease-fire.
Diplomatic channels remain open with Qatar, Egypt, the United States, and Turkey, along with the International Red Cross, which is part of an international task force meant to assist in locating and recovering the fallen. It is unclear whether that mechanism has begun operating.
Anger over ‘celebrations’ in the Knesset
Even as world leaders marked the cease-fire with fanfare, the mood was somber for many Israeli families. During Trump’s address at the Knesset, relatives of fallen hostages watched in disbelief as lawmakers applauded and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana removed his hostage pin, signaling, in their view, that the crisis was over.
“My son is worth 15 dead terrorists? If that’s the price, why didn’t they return him two years ago?” asked Rubi Chen, father of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, who was kidnapped and killed at Nahal Oz on October 7. “The government doesn’t care. Let’s call it what it is. The agreement isn’t serious, and Hamas will say they didn’t violate it. The question is—will Israel even apply pressure? It’s not clear.”
Orna and Ronen Netura, whose son Omer was abducted and killed on October 7, also attended the Knesset session. “It felt like a political show trying to present this as a victory,” they said. “There was no trace of accountability, grief, or acknowledgment of the families’ pain—just celebration.”
They criticized the removal of hostage photos from the Knesset hall, saying, “We sat in the gallery feeling invisible. Twenty hostages are home, and we’re deeply grateful—but this isn’t over. Yesterday’s behavior was shameful.”
The Neturas, who spent more than a year not knowing their son was dead, added that Omer’s birthday fell this week. “He was supposed to turn 24 today,” they said. “After the Knesset session, we went to Mount Herzl. You’re planning your child’s funeral while others are celebrating. It’s surreal.”
Families demand renewed pressure on Hamas
Danny Engel, brother of Ronen Engel, who was kidnapped from Nir Oz and killed on October 7, said families fear the remaining 24 bodies will be forgotten. “People used to say, ‘We won’t rest until the last hostage returns.’ But now that it’s mostly the dead who are left, no one’s shouting,” he said. “We’re fewer families now, and it’s harder.”
Engel noted that Ronen’s wife and daughters, abducted with him, were released months ago. “Our lives were shattered on October 7. We can’t rebuild them until we have closure,” he said. “We can’t move on while he’s still there.”
In response to the criticism, Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for hostages and missing persons, told the families that pressure on Hamas is ongoing and increasing. “The issue was raised in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meetings with President Trump and Egyptian President el-Sissi,” Hirsch said. “The mission is not over—we are fully committed. We will not stop until every fallen hostage is located and returned home.”