Captive soldier’s brother warns continued fighting a ‘death sentence’ for hostages, urges Trump not to be ‘fooled’ by PM

Yotam Cohen, brother of captive soldier Nirmrod Cohen, accuses the government of imposing a “death sentence” on soldiers and the remaining hostages with its decision to order the military conquest of Gaza City.

He also assails Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement this week that Israel would have to develop an autarkic economy in response to the mounting international pressure amid the intense bombing of Gaza City in recent weeks.

Cohen speaks before thousands of people who have crowded into Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square and adjacent streets. On the ground in front of him, rally-goers unfurl a large sign that reads: “President Trump, end the war, save them.”

“The government of Israel has chosen death for the umpteenth time,” says Cohen. “It has also chosen poverty, international isolation, boycotts and the shattering of Israel’s international relations.”

“Netanyahu has decided to deliver a death sentence,” says Cohen. He adds that Israel’s security chiefs, who have reportedly warned against the Gaza City operation and called for a truce-hostage deal, are not absolved of responsibility for the fate of the hostages and soldiers who may be endangered in the offensive.

“You won’t be able to say in the end that you were just following orders,” declares Cohen. “A day will come and those responsible will pay.”

Cohen says the hostages could have returned in a deal long ago.

“The moment Israel decides it wants a deal, there will be a deal,” he says. “Until then, they will continue to suffer.”

Cohen then addresses US President Donald Trump in English, “because no one is listening” in Israel.

He says the families were filled with hope when Trump took office in January.

“More than six months have passed. What now? Did you get bored?” he asks.

“Netanyahu is destroying your legacy, diminishing your achievements,” says Cohen, calling on Trump to “be remembered as the one president who wasn’t fooled and wasn’t manipulated by Benjamin Netanyahu.”