The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, released a video on Saturday featuring Matan Zangauker, an Israeli hostage held in Gaza since the October 2023 Hamas attack. In the video, Zangauker described the harrowing conditions of captivity, saying, “We die a thousand times every day, and no one feels for us.”
Speaking in Hebrew, Zangauker revealed he has been in captivity for over 420 days and called on the Israeli public to pressure their government to negotiate the release of hostages. He criticized the government, stating, “The government has neglected us and continues to neglect us day after day.”
Zangauker, 24 at the time of his abduction from the Nir Oz kibbutz, was captured alongside his partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was released during a truce last year. His mother, Einav Zangauker, has been actively advocating for a ceasefire and hostages’ release. Addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she urged immediate action, warning that Zangauker’s survival is uncertain amid military operations and harsh conditions.
🇮🇱🇵🇸🚨 “The government has neglected us and continues to neglect us day after day”.
— Hostage Matan Zangauker in new Hamas videoAl-Qassam Brigades released the video of Matan, who pleads with Israel to get home fast… the video also ends with the caption “Time is Running… pic.twitter.com/e2Nxwxc0vf
— TabZ (@TabZLIVE) December 7, 2024
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described the video as crucial evidence that hostages remain alive and stressed the urgency of securing their release. The group warned that “these hostages’ lives hang by a thread.”
According to the Israeli military, 251 individuals were abducted during the initial Hamas attack, with 96 still held in Gaza and 34 confirmed dead.
On Saturday, Qatar announced renewed momentum in ceasefire discussions, with negotiations expected to resume next week. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been mediating talks for over a year, though a resolution remains elusive.
