Captive families say Netanyahu 'criminal against his own people'
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Families of Israeli captives call for an immediate end to the Gaza war and a comprehensive prisoner deal.
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People take part in a protest demanding the immediate release of captives held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, on Saturday, April 19, 2025 (AP)
In their weekly press conference, a group of Israeli captive families called for an immediate agreement to end the war on Gaza and secure the return of all captives, The Times of Israel reported on Saturday.
The families denounced the ongoing fighting and rejected the partial deals proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held captive, stated, “Soldiers are being sent to war without end, without purpose, and without concern for the day after.”
“It is possible to sign a deal tomorrow morning. An entire nation is being deceived. We are told that military pressure will return the kidnapped — it only kills them.”
Read more: Netanyahu 'the reason for October 7', captive says in al-Qassam video
Accusations against Netanyahu over captive deal delays
Zangauker asserted that the “entire nation” supports an end to the war and the return of the captives, accusing Netanyahu of “doing himself a favor, by agreeing, perhaps, to another selection deal.”
The families criticized the Israeli government's reliance on military pressure in Gaza, warning that it endangers the lives of those held captive. They stressed that continuing the war would not lead to the captive' safe return.
Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is also held captive, harshly criticized Netanyahu for portraying the return of all captives in exchange for ending the war on Gaza as an act of “surrender”.
“A prime minister who sees the return of hostages captured under his watch as surrender is a criminal against his own people,” Cohen said.
“His goal is to waste time and stay in his seat. He turned Nimrod and the hostages into pawns on his chessboard long ago."
Al-Qassam fighters rescuing Israeli captives bombed by own army
Earlier, the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, published footage of what it said were its Resistance fighters rescuing Israeli captives in a tunnel that had been bombed by the Israeli occupation military a few days ago.
#WATCH | Al-Qassam Brigades fighters rescuing Israeli captives bombed by own army
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 26, 2025
The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of #Hamas, released footage showing its fighters rescuing Israeli captives from a tunnel that had been bombed by the Israeli occupation several days ago.… pic.twitter.com/UhCZtaL7J7
The Brigades stated that further details will be announced soon.
Read more: Ex-Israeli PM Barak calls Gaza war 'futile', politically motivated
