In a statement outside the Begin Gate, the families of the hostages held in Gaza for 442 days launched an urgent and desperate appeal for their release. Their testimonies reveal deep frustration with what they perceive as political maneuvering to the detriment of the lives of their loved ones.
“This is the 442nd day that our loved ones have been held in hell in Gaza because of Netanyahu,” said Yifat Kalderon, Ofer Kalderon’s cousin. She denounces the government's contradictory communications: “One moment we are told that an agreement is imminent, the next that there is no breakthrough, blaming Hamas.”
Einav Tzangaukar, mother of Matan, particularly protested against the Prime Minister's recent statements to foreign media: “We heard last night that the Prime Minister declared that he will not end the war 'until he has eliminated Hamas'. This is a new attempt at sabotage!” She adds with emotion: “Netanyahu wants to bury my Matan in the tunnels!”
Families are particularly alarmed by the arrival of winter. As Yotam Cohen, Nimrod's brother, explains: “While we are all in warm, dry houses with heaters and blankets, the hostages are freezing in damp, dark tunnels. They are all in a critical humanitarian situation!” . Danny Elgart, Itzhak's brother, denounced what he described as a “disinformation campaign” led by Netanyahu's office against the families and against a possible deal. “Netanyahu, look the families in the eyes! You have humiliated us, trampled us, transformed us into enemies!”
The families strongly oppose the positions of Ben Gvir and Smotrich, who advocate the continuation of the war and the establishment of localities in Gaza, describing these statements as “a dagger in the hearts of the families.”
Their message to the government is clear: the end of the war is not an obstacle but a necessary objective for the return of all the hostages. They also launch a direct appeal to President Trump: “Use all your power to obtain a comprehensive agreement! Tell Netanyahu that we cannot wait until January 20!”
The families conclude by recalling that “the majority of the public wants to end the war and bring back all the hostages now”, stressing that there can be “neither victory, nor reconstruction, nor recovery until everyone is returned”.
