They stressed that their loved ones fell while defending Israeli civilians, and that “those responsible for the atrocities of the massacre” must not be allowed to return to armed activity.

A delegation of bereaved families from the HaGevura Forum appealed Monday to senior US envoys visiting Israel, warning that any proposal enabling Hamas operatives trapped in the Rafah tunnel network to leave safely would endanger Israelis and undermine broader Western security interests.

The message was delivered in a letter addressed to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who arrived in Israel for consultations linked to President Donald Trump’s regional initiatives.