The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said in a statement that US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and hostage envoy Adam Boehler “recently concluded a meeting with” members of the Israeli campaign group.
“During the nearly two-hour meeting, both officials emphasised their personal commitment to bringing back all 58 remaining hostages – both the living and the deceased,” said the group, which has campaigned for the release of the hostages.
“Witkoff emphasised that they will accept nothing less than the return of everyone, as this is the US President’s (Donald Trump’s) mission,” the statement said.
Negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages have been ongoing, with the latest talks taking place in Doha.
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, 57 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Hamas is also holding the body of an Israeli soldier killed during a previous war in Gaza, in 2014.
The Forum said Witkoff and Boehler expressed their confidence in “a genuine chance for progress in negotiations,” which comes as Trump tours Gulf countries, including Qatar.
Witkoff also met Edan Alexander, who was released on Monday after he was taken during the 2023 attack by Hamas.
“I was honoured to meet Edan Alexander today and welcome him home,” Witkoff said on X. “We also had the opportunity to speak with (Trump), whose leadership made this possible. We remain committed to bringing every last hostage home.” (AFP)
