From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 17, 2025
‘We demand our children,’ says Einav Zangauker, as new video of hostage son Matan broadcast at rally
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
A new video of hostage Matan Zangauker is screened at the rally at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, organized by hostage family members.
The video of Zangauker is only a few seconds long, in which he asks his mother to “keep making noise” and that he “hopes to see [her] soon.”
Following the screening, Matan’s mother, Einav Zangauker addresses the crowd.
“My Matan, my hero, I’m so proud of you, how you have stayed strong for 681 days. Continue to stay strong,” she says.
“Matan asked for noise, so give him noise!,” Zangauker says to roaring applause.
“My soul hurts and burns from longing for you,” she says.
She adds that the Israeli government has turned this “just war” into an “endless war.”
“We don’t have a worthy government, but we have the most worthy nation in the world,” Zangauker continues.
“We demand a comprehensive deal and end of the war,” she says. “We demand what we deserve — our children! And we will continue to demand it until we get it.”
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