The families of Israeli captives held in Gaza have expressed concern over the Israeli army’s announcement of expanding its ground operation in the enclave’s Deir el-Balah area, Al Jazeera reports.

“Can anyone promise us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” read a statement from the families.

The group added that it expects Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defence minister and senior military officials to explain what is being done to protect the captives inside Gaza.

“Unfortunately, despite all the spin and false promises, many families have already learned firsthand the meaning of expanding the fighting in the shadow of negotiations and the lack of a clear war plan,” the statement said, referring to the recovery of six captives’ bodies last August.