Hostage’s mother: In Qatar, Netanyahu tried to bomb our chance to get our loved ones back

Several relatives of hostages who are intensely critical of the government give their weekly statement outside IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv, ahead of planned rallies across the country.

“This week we witnessed the prime minister’s grand failure, when he gambled with the hostages’ lives and tried to eliminate Hamas’s negotiating team while talks were underway on a deal for our sons’ release,” says Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker.

“President Trump said yesterday that every time there is progress in the negotiations, Netanyahu bombs someone,” she says, in reference to comments made anonymously by an official close to the administration when describing Trump’s frustration.

“But it wasn’t Hamas leaders he tried to bomb — it was our chance, the families’ [chance] to get our loved ones back. It was our hope, as citizens, to live normal lives, our Zionism, and the future of the state.”

Itzik Horn, father of Hamas hostage Eitan Horn, says, “One madman, together with a bunch of lunatics called the cabinet, decided to do everything in their power to bring about the death of my son Eitan.

“I call on you — let’s sit down face to face, father to father. No media, no spin, no leaks. Just answer me one question: if your children were among the hostages, would they also be rotting in the tunnels for 700 days? So why should our children?”