From Ben Gvir tells mother of hostage he’ll block any deal freeing ‘1,000 Sinwars’
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The mother of a hostage held in Gaza gets into a heated argument with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir at a Knesset National Security Committee meeting, accusing him of being more concerned with putting settlements in the Strip than with the fate of captives held there.
Sparring with the far-right minister, Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zaungauker, says that “yesterday you said that the hostages need a little bit of patience,” prompting a vehement denial from Ben Gvir.
On Tuesday evening, Ben Gvir was asked about the possibility of a hostage deal during an interview with Channel 12 and answered that “we need some patience to bring Hamas to its knees.”
Zangauker, a vocal government critics, says that the hostages who are no longer alive are buried dozens of meters below ground, but Ben Gvir wants to build roads and towns “and settle Gaza on their blood without bringing them home for burial.”
“This isn’t Jewish values,” she asserts as Ben Gvir shakes his head and looks pained. “The hostages are suffering in body and soul and you’re allowing this to continue. Where is your cry for redeeming hostages and solidarity? Why not agree to a hostage deal?”
Asked how long he can leave her son in captivity and why he believes a hostage deal would be dangerous, Ben Gvir responds that October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar was released during the 2011 deal for captured soldier Gilad Shalit and that a new agreement would likewise result in the freeing of dangerous terrorists.
Israel has an obligation to “do everything to release the hostages but we also have a responsibility for the lives of Israeli citizens. I will not allow the release of 1,000 Sinwars under any circumstances,” Ben Gvir says.
