The mother of a hostage held in Gaza sharply criticized National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir during a meeting of the Knesset National Security Committee on Wednesday, accusing him of being more preoccupied with the reestablishment of settlements in the Gaza Strip as well as the fate of the captives held there since the pogrom of October 7, 2023.
Facing the far-right minister, Einav Zangauker, mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker, criticized him for having said the day before “that the hostages had to show a little patience”, which Ben Gvir denied with vehemence.
Tuesday evening, during an interview with the N12 channel, Ben Gvir responded to a question about a possible agreement in favor of the hostages by declaring: “We will have to be patient to succeed in defeating Hamas. »
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Zangauker, a government critic, added that the missing hostages were buried dozens of meters underground, while Ben Gvir wanted to build roads and cities, and “establish settlements in Gaza on their blood, without even bringing them back.” home to bury them.
“These are not Jewish values,” she said. “The hostages are suffering physically and morally, and you allow this to continue. The hostages are suffering physically and mentally, and you are allowing this situation to continue. Where is your call for the release of the hostages and solidarity? Why refuse a hostage deal? »
Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a meeting of the National Security Committee in the Knesset, November 27, 2024. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
When asked how long he would leave his own son in captivity and why he considered a hostage deal dangerous, Ben Gvir replied that Yahya Sinwar, one of the instigators of October 7, had been released as part of the 2011 agreement for the release of soldier Gilad Shalit. A new deal, he said, would also result in the release of dangerous terrorists.
Israel has an obligation to “do everything to free the hostages, but we also have a responsibility to protect the lives of Israeli citizens.” Under no circumstances will I allow the release of a thousand Sinwars,” said Ben Gvir.
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