The conflict on Israel鈥檚 northern border has significantly escalated in the past weeks. Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas鈥� military wing, Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas鈥� political bureau, and Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, were all taken out in targeted killings. These actions, especially the assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil, have intensified regional tensions and resulted in severe threats from Iran. Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei ordered direct retaliation against Israel, significantly increasing the potential for broader conflict in the region.

As tensions rise in the north, Israeli military operations in Gaza continue. A total of 116 hostages are still held in Gaza, not all of them alive. Families of the hostages are vigorously campaigning for the government to secure their release.

At the start of the government meeting on Aug. 4, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel鈥檚 readiness to confront its enemies as well as its efforts to release the hostages.

鈥淭he State of Israel is in a multifront war against Iran鈥檚 axis of evil. We are striking every one of its arms with great force. We are prepared for any scenario, both offensively and defensively,鈥� he said.

鈥淎t the same time, we are making a supreme effort, on a daily basis, to return all of our hostages,鈥� he continued. 鈥淚 emphasize 鈥� to return all of our hostages, without exception. We have an ironclad commitment to return all of them, the living and the deceased.鈥�

But as the northern front heats up, demanding significant resources, the impact on the delicate efforts to secure a hostage deal remains to be seen.

Yotam Cohen, whose 19-year-old brother Nimrod Cohen is held hostage in Gaza, expressed his concern about the diminishing public attention on the hostages鈥� plight.

鈥淓verything that happens outside Gaza or on other fronts diverts attention away from Gaza and the hostages,鈥� he told The Media Line. 鈥淭his distraction prolongs the war, prevents a ceasefire, and consequently extends the duration of the hostages鈥� captivity.鈥�

鈥淭his distraction prolongs the war, prevents a ceasefire, and consequently extends the duration of the hostages鈥� captivity.鈥� – Yotan Cohen

鈥淚n the past few days, the Israeli people have been fearful of the situation with Iran and Lebanon, preparing for a massive attack. Despite that, the majority of people remain aware, focused, and informed about the hostage situation as much as possible,鈥� Cohen said.

Most hostage families operate under the banner of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum to lobby the government and raise public awareness. Cohen said his family has been unsatisfied with the forum鈥檚 messaging and has mostly organized independently.

鈥淔or many months, we felt the forum鈥檚 messages were too soft,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e believe the forum is afraid to address the core issue: Netanyahu is preventing a deal. We started calling him out specifically. Recently, we鈥檝e seen the forum moving towards this conclusion, but we think it鈥檚 taking too long.鈥�

He said the symbolic acts promoted by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum are less effective than mass protests.

Counterterrorism expert Maj. Gen. (ret.) Noam Tibon told The Media Line that rescuing the hostages should remain Israel鈥檚 top priority.

鈥淚srael must now pursue the hostage deal in the south. We cannot leave anyone behind,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is ingrained in the DNA of the State of Israel and the IDF.鈥�

Tibon said that securing the deal would also benefit Israel militarily.

鈥淎ny developments in Gaza will immediately impact the northern front and our coalition against Iran, including the U.S. and Saudi Arabia,鈥� he said. 鈥淚srael needs to prioritize its interests. Currently, this means pursuing the hostage deal, closing the southern front, and preparing for a potential conflict in Lebanon.鈥�

He accused Netanyahu of making decisions based on political interests rather than the best interests of the state, describing him as 鈥渢he worst prime minister in Israel鈥檚 history.鈥�

Hezbollah retaliation for Israel鈥檚 assassination of Shukr will likely be limited, Tibon said. 鈥淏ut the risk for an unplanned escalation remains,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s for Iran, predicting their actions and timing is hard.鈥�

Tibon said that Israel needs to build a coalition with countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states to take on Iran. 鈥淭he hostage deal will help us build this crucial coalition,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is essential for the security of Israel.鈥�

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