Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas, who have expressed concern about the intensifying attacks on Gaza.
The Missing Families Forum said the night when troops moved into northern Gaza had been "the worst" so far. It complained that no-one had explained "whether the ground operation endangers the well-being of the 229 hostages".
Mr Netanyahu has promised to do everything possible to bring them home. Ahead of the meeting, the Hostages
and Missing Families Forum said their relatives "are anxious about the fate of their loved ones and are waiting for an explanation" of the Israeli military's actions.
In response to the statement, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said he would meet representatives of the group on Sunday.
The hostages were taken by Hamas gunmen during an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on the 7th of October in which 1,400 people were killed.