US President Donald Trump should make the "deal of all deals" to stop the war in Gaza and secure the release of all 50 hostages still in Hamas captivity, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum wrote in an open letter to the president.
The letter was written following the nationwide protests and strikes calling for the hostages to be returned.
"You have spoken powerfully about ending wars and bringing peace," the letter stated, touting Trump's efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. "The world desperately needs leaders like you, who can transform endless cycles of violence into hope. We need the 'deal of all deals,' one that stops the fighting and brings all 60 hostages home before it's too late."
The forum expressed concern that continued fighting in the Gaza Strip will only endanger the remaining hostages.
"Every bomb that falls, every day this war continues, puts the living hostages at imminent risk of execution and threatens to make the bodies of the deceased disappear forever," they said, while also writing an appeal to Trump's legacy.
"Your legacy could be defined by this moment - the leader who ended the wars and brought our people home, while creating a future for both our families and the people of Gaza."
Hostages' families respond to Hamas agreement
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum addressed the reports that Hamas agreed to a hostage-ceasefire agreement, urging a deal to "bring back home every hostage."
"We demand that Netanyahu immediately conduct continuous negotiations for the release of all hostages from Gaza. The people stand with the hostages. The people will bring the hostages back. The people will not allow the prime minister to sabotage another deal," the forum wrote.
It also added: "It has been proven again that the families’ struggle strengthens the hostages, strengthens Israel, and strengthens soldiers. Time is running out. The living hostages are in a dire situation. The deceased hostages are at risk of disappearing forever."
"Millions of Israelis have taken to the streets to support the most moral and humane struggle there is. The families of the hostages have been leading a determined fight in the past month to bring back our brothers and sisters, to bring everyone back until the last hostage, and to end the war."
Donald Trump: Hamas must be destroyed before the hostages are returned
The forum's letter comes as Trump took to social media to comment on the conflict, stating that Hamas must be destroyed before the hostages are returned home.
"We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be."
He also said, "Remember, I was the one who negotiated and got hundreds of hostages freed and released into Israel (and America!). I was the one who ended 6 wars, in just 6 months. I was the one who OBLITERATED Iran’s Nuclear facilities. Play to WIN, or don’t play at all! Thank you for your attention to this matter!"