British-based relatives of Israelis being held captive by Hamas urged Israel Wednesday to accept a hostage deal, warning that time is running out to free their loved ones.
Talks are underway in Qatar to mediate a reportedly phased agreement in which Israel would suspend military operations in return for the release of hostages from Gaza and Palestinian prisoners from Israel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says more work is needed on the deal but has voiced hope for its success.
"I don't think Israel has another option," Sharone Lifschitz, whose 83-year-old father Oded Lifshitz is being held hostage, told a press conference in central London.
Lifschitz, whose elderly mother was also kidnapped before being released, added that "Israel has a duty to return its citizens," and "has to do what it takes to get there".
"We need that deal to happen now," she pleaded. "If it does not come through, it will be a longer wait and many of the hostages simply cannot survive it."
An unprecedented attack inside Israel on October 7 by Hamas militants resulted in the death of some 1,160 people, mostly civilians, and 250 hostages being seized, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.
More than 100 hostages were released during a truce that lasted a week in November and Israel says that 132 hostages, including the bodies of 29, remain in Gaza.
Stephen Brisley's sister Lianne Sharabi and her two teenage daughters were killed in the attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, close to the Gaza border.
His brother-in-law Eli Sharabi remains a hostage, while another relative, Yossi Sharabi, was taken hostage and later died in captivity.
"Every single passing hour and day is a passing hour and day that a lot of the hostages simply do not have," he told reporters.
"All I can say is whatever needs to be done to bring the hostages home safely and alive must be done."
Brisley added: "Time is running out and the price of failure has been writ large."