Hostage families: ‘We will continue to fight until they are all home, our hearts are with the bereaved’

Einav Zangaukar, the mother of hostage Matan, gives a statement on behalf of the hostage families ahead of tonight’s mass rally in Tel Aviv, saying that they will not stop the fight until all of the hostages are home.

Hamas has said there may be difficulties in locating the bodies of all the dead hostages.

“This is the 763rd day that our loved ones have been held captive by Hamas, but soon they will be returned to us,” says Zanguaker. “My excitement is immense. Together with me, the entire Israeli people want the hostages home and look forward to seeing them all return.”

“For 763 days, we were forced to take to the streets, cry out and fight for the most basic thing. This is something that should be taken for granted — mutual responsibility and solidarity,” she says.

“The struggle is not over yet,” she says. “We do not forget for a moment the heavy price paid by the Israeli people. Almost 2,000 have been murdered and have fallen since October 7. I would like to send a big hug from here to all the bereaved families. Our hearts are with you forever, and our gratitude goes out to all the soldiers.”

“Hell will not end until everyone is home, until the last of the hostage men and women,” she says. “Until that happens, we will continue to fight with them and by their side. Their pain is with us every second.”

The families give the statement as crowds begin to gather in the Tel Aviv square, with tens of thousands expected to attend tonight’s rally.