Group of hostage families say Netanyahu ready to ‘bury’ captives for his own interests

At their weekly press conference in Tel Aviv, a group of hostage families assail Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of sabotaging talks on the second phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal for his own interests, warning that renewed fighting will kill the remaining living captives.

“We are in an emergency, and we mustn’t be blinded by reports: the war could resume this week,” says Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held hostage in Gaza.

Zangauker adds that the continuation of war is in the prime minister’s interest, as it would allow him to extend his ongoing criminal trial, put off a state commission of inquiry into the handling of the war, and maintain his government with his far-right allies.

Yifat Calderon, the cousin of Ofer Calderon, who was released last month in the deal, accuses Netanyahu of halting negotiations for the second phase of the deal.

“Netanyahu is prepared to bury the hostages for his personal and criminal interests,” she says.

Omri Lifshitz says the fate of his captive father, Oded, whose body was returned last month, “cannot be allowed to happen again” to other hostages.

“Netanyahu — if the war is renewed, hostages will be killed because of you. Their blood will be on your hands,” he said, calling on US President Donald Trump to not allow the prime minister to “bury them” and prevent the deal from being derailed.