The families of Israeli hostages, held captive by Hamas since October 7, have addressed a letter to King Mohammed VI, calling for his intervention.
The head of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, David Govrin, has shared the letter on X, formerly Twitter.
The letter is signed by hostages’ family members, who commended the monarch as well as Morocco’s “steadfast commitment to promoting peace and stability.”
“Your majesty’s role as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee … gives the Kingdom of Morocco a special status in these matters … It is in this spirit that we appeal to you today, asking for your compassionate intervention to help return our family members safely to their homeland,” the letter read.
According to their relatives, the hostages include Jewish people of Moroccan origin
The hostages’ families have also expressed their support for the “everyone for everyone” exchange of prisoners taken by Hamas for every Palestinian prisoner held by Israel.
“Reuniting our families will not only alleviate our suffering but will also contribute to promoting peace and reconciliation in the region,” the letter added, emphasising Morocco’s commitment to promoting coexistence and interfaith dialogue.
Many Israelis, including former officials, emphasised Morocco’s ability to mediate and contribute to ending the devastating situation, as well as striving to find a lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.
In October, former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak pitched Morocco as part of a potential Arab Peace Force that seeks to influence both Hamas and Israel’s agreements to restore safety and harmony to Gaza.
The number of hostages held by Hamas is estimated at 242 people. Hamas has disclosed that it is prepared to exchange these hostages.
“If Israel wants to resolve the issue in one go, we are ready for that. If it wants to divide the process into several rounds, we are also ready,” Al Qassam Brigades Spokesperson Abu Obaida said in a televised speech in October.
Israel, however, continues to refuse to engage in an agreement for the hostages’ exchange, despite Israeli protests in front of the Knesset, pressuring PM Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the “all for all” initiative.
Since October 7, Hamas has released a few captives for humanitarian reasons.
On October 30, Hamas released a video of three Israeli captives urging Netanyahu to agree to a prisoner swap deal with the militant group.
“We know that there is supposed to be a ceasefire. You were supposed to free us all… And instead, we are driving in your political, security, military, political chaos,” one of the hostages said.
The hostage also accused Netanyahu of wanting to kill the Israelis held captive by Hamas, calling on him to free all Palestinian citizens held captive by Israel.
Israel, however, responded to the video by describing it as a “cruel psychological propaganda by Hamas-ISIS.”
Since October 7, Israel has been intensifying its genocidal war, murdering tens of thousands of Palestinians.
At least 12,300 Palestinians have been massacred in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including more than 5,000 children.
