The Hostage and Missing Families Forum has issued a statement warning that concluding Israel’s military campaign against Iran without securing the release of hostages held in Gaza would represent a “grave diplomatic failure.”

In a statement released Monday following the announcement of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the forum urged the Israeli government to immediately leverage the momentum for wider negotiations.

“The ceasefire agreement must expand to include Gaza; we call on the government to hold snap talks that will lead to the return of all the hostages and an end to the war,” the group said.

“Those who can bring about a ceasefire with Iran can also end the war in Gaza.

“After 12 days and nights in which the Israeli people could not sleep because of Iran, we can finally go back to not sleeping because of the hostages,” the group added.

According to Israeli officials, 50 hostages remain in Gaza.

Among them are 49 of the 251 people abducted during the October 7 attacks, including at least 28 confirmed dead and whose bodies are still being held.

Twenty are believed to be alive, with grave concerns for the well-being of two others. Hamas is also reportedly holding the body of an Israeli soldier killed during the 2014 conflict.

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, has been a vocal figure in the movement, regularly speaking at rallies and press conferences.