UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres committed during a meeting with hostages' families to appoint a dedicated representative for hostage affairs, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The appointed official is expected to coordinate UN activities related to hostage and prisoner affairs and serve as a liaison for member states, UN bodies and families.
Additionally, Orna and Ronen, parents of fallen hostage Omer Neutra who met with Guterres, noted there is currently no UN official serving as a point of contact for families' inquiries and handling of the issue - after these concerns were also raised at the UN by Ruby Chen, father of fallen hostage Itay Chen.