The mother of a hostage still held by Hamas in Gaza has contradicted Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that some 50 hostages held by Hamas are still alive, and said that the number is actually 30-35 at most.
Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, said, “The prime minister is lying. We know, the families, that the number is far smaller than the number cited by the prime minister.”
She said that all the families receive information on the status of their loved ones, including signs of life. And, on the basis of that information, she said, “In my opinion, there are no more than 30 to 35 hostages still alive.”
What’s at stake, she says, “is not redeeming hostages; it is truly saving lives.”
50 hostages alive in Gaza: Netanyahu
Earlier, Netanyahu said that about half of the roughly 100 hostages held in the Gaza Strip since last year are still alive.
Further stressing that she does not anticipate a possible deal for the next three to four months, Zangauker said, “There are no [substantive] contacts between the Israeli [negotiating] team and the mediators,” and “Hamas is not involved in any stage” of the efforts at present. “That’s the reality.”
Watch | Israel-Hezbollah tensions: Israelis protest demanding hostage release
She added that the US mediators, who have been trying hard to finalise a deal, have largely “given up” on their efforts at present.
‘Netanyahu chose escalation’
She further accused Netanyahu, “who through his decisions is murdering my Matan” — of putting his political future ahead of the future of the hostages. There was a clear opportunity for a deal several months ago, she says, but “he chose escalation.”
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(With inputs from agencies)
