Former hostages, families hold protest Shabbat service outside of Katz’s home

Relatives of hostages and former captives hold a Kabbalat Shabbat service outside the home of Defense Minister Israel Katz in Kfar Ahim to protest yesterday’s security cabinet decision to fully occupy the Gaza Strip.

Former hostage Yair Horn notes that his brother Eitan remains held captive in Gaza, as well as several friends.

“Until they don’t all return, it is impossible to call this Kabbalat Shabbat. I was forced to leave behind my little brother and my friend,” he says, adding that he won’t be able to have a real Shabbat dinner until the hostages return.

Ohad Ben Ami, who was also formerly held captive, recounts performing Shabbat blessings on pita and water while he was in Gaza.

“Hamas told us that the government gave up on us, but we saw with our own eyes that the people did not give up on us,” he says, recalling watching Saturday night hostage rallies on TV while held captive.

Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held captive, asserts that most Israeli citizens want a comprehensive deal to free all the hostages.

Later on, Zangauker blocks the Ayalon Highway with a Shabbat dinner table, along with her captive son’s girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was also formerly held hostage.

“Conquering the Strip will kill the hostages. How are the decision makers able to sit with their relatives around a table when the hostages are being tortured and abandoned,” she says, as quoted by Hebrew media.

עינב צנגאוקר הקימה שולחן שבת בנתיבי איילון וחסמה את הכביש למשך דקות: "כיבוש הרצועה יהרוג את החטופים. איך מקבלי ההחלטות מסוגלים לשבת עם בני משפחותיהם סביב השולחן כשהחטופים מעונים ומופקרים?" @YoavBorowitz pic.twitter.com/0hKwNzCQPF

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 8, 2025