The father of an Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza has publicly accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the safe return of captives.
Speaking to Israel’s Maariv daily, Hagai Angrest, father of soldier Matan Angrest, expressed frustration following Netanyahu’s latest speech.
“We were told this war wouldn’t end without bringing them back,” Angrest said. “Now it looks like Netanyahu is abandoning the hostages to continue the war. It’s all about politics now.”
His remarks came after Netanyahu claimed in a national address that a ceasefire with Hamas would jeopardize Israel’s military gains. He stated that Hamas had rejected an offer to release some hostages in return for ending the war — a condition he deemed “unacceptable.”
Hamas, meanwhile, insists it’s open to full negotiations to release all hostages in exchange for a total ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and reconstruction.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu said retrieving all captives in one deal is “impossible,” despite rising domestic pressure.
As of now, Israeli officials believe 59 captives remain in Gaza, with only 24 presumed alive. In contrast, over 9,500 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, many reportedly facing inhumane conditions.
Since October 2023, more than 51,200 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza. The war has sparked legal proceedings against Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders, including charges at the International Criminal Court and a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
Families of Israeli hostages continue to protest, urging a deal to prioritize the captives’ release over prolonged military action.