2/09/2024 – Sydney

Following the news yesterday that another six hostages have been needlessly killed, NIF Australia calls on the government to do all that it can to ensure a ceasefire and hostage deal.

This war has cost an incalculable toll, and as it extends into its 11th month, we are learning of the many opportunities that both parties had to end it and to save innumerable lives.

Over the weekend, former hostage negotiator, Gershon Baskin reported that he had secured a ceasefire deal in exchange for the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza, and demanded the Netanyahu government accept this deal. Once again, the Netanyahu government put its far-right messianic agenda ahead of innocent civilians’ lives. 

With the devastating news of a further six hostages discovered dead in Gaza yesterday, the Hostage Families Forum representing the friends and families of hostages in Gaza, is warning of dramatic action to “bring the nation to a halt.” They have already mobilised tens of thousands of people onto the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, a demonstration of civil society’s frustration with actions the government has taken in their name. 

As NIF executive director, Michael Chaitow said: “For many months, we at NIF have urged the government in Israel to reach a deal to safeguard innocent Palestinian lives and to bring the return of the hostages. This government can no longer ignore these cries. As the protest movement takes to the streets to hold the cabinet accountable for its  “ongoing neglect of the hostages”, we must heed its call and join this movement as international actors. We must demand that our government place pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to reach an immediate deal and end this senseless bloodshed for good.”