Some support an Israeli invasion of Gaza, others want a prisoner swap, but relatives of dozens seized by Hamas have said that they were united in demanding Israel’s government end their nightmare, AFP reports.

The fearful families feel they are only just starting to be taken seriously by the authorities.

“It was not enough but it was a nice start,” said Jackie Levy, an Israeli television presenter among about 80 hostage relatives who met with President Isaac Herzog on Sunday. “At last we are at the table. They have us and our interests on top of the agenda.”

“The president told us very clearly that bringing out our beloved ones is a top aim of Israel now,” said Levy, whose wife is waiting for news of five relatives seized at the Nir Oz kibbutz.

“It makes us feel a little bit better after three long weeks with no call,” he added.

“There is a tremendous intelligence and operational effort that history has not seen before, all to obtain any possible information,” government hostage envoy Gal Hirsch told the meeting, according to the families.

The families said they had secured a commitment to give more frequent updates about efforts to release the captives, who are believed detained in Hamas underground tunnels.

The Israeli military says it has confirmed that at least 239 hostages, including toddlers and elderly people, were seized on October 7.

The Palestinian group’s military wing has said that “about 50” of them had died in Israeli strikes.