Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces fierce criticism for dismissing the danger faced by those still held in captivity in Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

Netanyahu reportedly said during a cabinet meeting there’s no reason to stress as “the kidnapped are suffering, but they are not dying”.

Families of the abducted demanded the prime minister to “immediately explain” his remarks.

The comments “are not only deeply hurtful to the hostages’ families but also factually inaccurate and dangerously irresponsible”, said a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

“The grim reality is undeniable: hostages have already been murdered in captivity. More hostages may be losing their lives at this very moment,” it added.