Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, participates in a protest in Tel Aviv calling for a hostage exchange on 7 December 2024. Photo: Miriam Alster/Flash90
Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli hostage Matan, expressed her fears about the future of hostages in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. She stated that, in her opinion, “Israel is moving towards a partial agreement, which could lead to the deaths of the hostages”. According to her, she is most concerned that her son and other hostages may not survive the winter, The Jerusalem Post reports.
“My fear is that they will not survive the winter,” said Zangauker, who could not contain her emotions when watching the video of her son Matan addressing her for the first time. “When Matan spoke, I felt as if he was standing in front of me. I wasn’t really listening to his words, I was answering him, I was trying to calm him down,” she added.
She was most impressed by the fact that, despite the harsh conditions of detention, her son did not break down. “Matan did not break. Even though he looked down, he didn’t break,” Zangauker said. “Matan is strong, and it’s very touching to see him not giving up and wanting to come home so badly. This is the least we can give him,” she said.
These words were an expression not only of her mother’s feelings, but also of the anxiety of many families of the hostages waiting for them to return home. Zangauker called on the international community to do everything possible to ensure the safety and release of the hostages, as every day of delay puts their lives at risk.
