ZOA President Morton A. Klein released the following statement:

“Hamas’s proclamation that it is indefinitely suspending releasing Israeli hostages, in violation of the hostages-for-terrorists deal, is deeply concerning, and highly suspicious that at a pivotal time in the proposed deal, Hamas’s excuses may be more tied to the condition of the remaining hostages or worse — that the remaining hostages are, G-d forbid, either dead or near-death.

“The fact that Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy were emaciated and were brutally tortured and starved indicates that Hamas has tortured and starved all or almost all of their prisoners, much like the Nazis did, and may, G-D forbid, indicate that the terror group no longer has healthy or even living hostages remaining.

“This latest charade must remind Israel and the world of the continued threat posed by Hamas and their Arab allies and clearly Israel must now continue the battle to destroy the rest of Hamas.”