‘I’ll haunt you in your sleep’: Brother of hostage mistakenly killed by IDF shares fuming call he had with Gallant

Yonatan Shamriz, whose brother Alon was mistakenly killed by IDF troops last week along with two other hostages Yotam Haim and Samar Talalka, recalls the phone call he had afterward with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

“I was sure that the Shin Bet would come and arrest me within half an hour,” Yonatan says during an interview with Channel 12’s Uvda investigative program.

“I told him I’d hunt after him until he is in the ground — him and everyone sitting over there. That they won’t have any rest. [I told him] that they’re responsible for what happened. I told him that I wouldn’t rest and would haunt him in his sleep, that when he falls asleep, he’ll see a photo of my brother,” Yonatan Shamriz continues.

Yonatan says the conversation ended with him swearing at Gallant, whom he credits for listening and not pushing back.

Asked if he’s worried that his anger might consume him, Yonatan responds, “I don’t have anything left to consume.”

“I have a family that has been destroyed. There were so many things we planned to do together that we’ll no longer be able to do, and I have a heroic brother who is now… resting.

“And I have to ensure that this wasn’t for nothing. Not October 7 and not his death.”

“Those who were responsible and abandoned us cannot be part of the country anymore. I have a mission now… to get rid of everyone [in charge], and start over with something new,” Yonatan says, admitting that he is torn between giving up and ensuring that his brother’s death was not in vain.