Report: Sara Netanyahu accused hostage families of helping Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara criticized relatives of hostages held in Gaza while tagging along with her husband and a top official during a meeting with the families Tuesday, Channel 12 news reports.

According to the station’s unsourced report, Sara Netanyahu told the families that their statements in the media were bolstering Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, drawing angry responses, including from some who shouted at the premier’s wife.

The report says that some relatives replied that freed hostages told of hearing their relatives through the media, helping fortify them during tough times.

According to the channel, the prime minister attempted to intercede on behalf of his wife, noting her concern for the plight of the hostages.

He told the families that while releasing prisoners in exchange for hostages’ freedom was not on the table, Israel is “mulling declaring the deportation of Sinwar from Gaza,” a likely reference to reports that Israel could allow Hamas leaders to leave the Strip and spare their lives, in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages, ending the war, the channel reports.

Governments often prefer to keep hostages out of the spotlight, knowing that public campaigns can drive up kidnappers’ demands. However, families are often reticent to suffer in silence, fearing that their loved ones will be forgotten and seeing public pressure as a key tool in getting their government to agree to painful concessions.