TEL AVIV, December 6. /TASS/. The families of Israeli hostages have sent a letter to the national military cabinet demanding urgent measures be taken to free their loved ones from the captivity of the Palestinian movement Hamas, Yedioth Ahronoth and Haaretz reported.

According to the newspapers, the families of the hostages being held in the Gaza Strip were informed that the health of their relatives was deteriorating and that their lives were in jeopardy. A medical report by Israeli physician Hagai Levine, which was based on accounts from released hostages, was attached to the letter. Levine believes that at least a third of the Gaza hostages have chronic diseases which require regular medical monitoring. Among the hostages are those who were severely injured during or after the abduction (including those who lost limbs). Without medical treatment, their lives are at risk, the physician believes, and some might have already died since they did not receive medical assistance.

"Based on all the data, we demand that you take prompt and proactive action in order to reach an agreement for the immediate release of all the hostages. The responsibility for returning them home safe and sound lies with you," the newspapers reported citing an excerpt from the letter to Israel’s military cabinet.

Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that at least 138 people were still in the hands of Hamas supporters. Among the Gaza detainees are at least 20 women and children. Meanwhile, Osama Hamdan, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said on Tuesday that his movement would not release the remaining hostages or enter into negotiations with Israel until it halts its aggression in the Gaza Strip.