This evening (Tuesday), Einav Zangauker revealed a video of her son Matan, who was kidnapped in Gaza 291 days ago, being transported on a motorcycle by terrorists in the streets of Khan Yunis. In the background of the recording, the joy of the residents of Gaza can be heard, and Matan is seen riding a motorcycle between two terrorists. Apparently, this is documentation from the first days after the kidnapping.
In addition, the family published Matan’s correspondence with his mother, sister and uncle from the October seventh. Matan’s phone was recently found in the Gaza Strip and returned to his family.
In the correspondence, Matan wrote to his mother before the kidnapping: “There are people here, they are trying to get in.” At 09:12 he sent a message to his mother: “Is the IDF attacking? Is there an IDF in the settlements?” Einav, his mother, replied: “There are not enough forces. There are no soldiers in the kibbutzim. They are all concentrated in the settlements they infiltrated. Do not leave the shelter.”
Later she added: “There are many dead, soldiers and civilians, as well as prisoners and hostages. The most important thing is not to leave.” At 09:44 Matan wrote: “There is someone here. I love you. There are people here.” Einav replied: “Hold the door!! Everything will be fine.”
Matan continued to write: “There are Arabs here, houses are being broken into here, I love you, don’t cry.” Einav replied: “Be quiet, everything will be fine” and asked: “Maybe it’s the army?”, and Matan answered: “No, they speak Arabic, they are right next to me.” At 09:49 Matan wrote to his uncle: “I love you, help my mother with Shani and Tatu, that’s all I ask.” At 10:08 Matan wrote to his mother: “There are people here, they are trying to enter.” Einav wrote to him: “We sent the police, be quiet. Matan? Are you alright?” but Matan did not reply after that.
Einav, who has been leading the protests for the return of the abductees for a long time in her cry to return her son along with the other abductees appealed to the Prime Minister: “Netanyahu, hostages die in captivity! There is a deal on the table, it is unacceptable that the mother of an hostage should beg you to agree to a deal that you have already approved! Put the public and the national interest above your personal interest! You have been held for nine months. Look at the wounded women and the other abductees! The people want it The abductees are at home, and there is a majority in the government and the Knesset for the deal on the table.”
While the issues involved in a hostage deal are complex, the stories of what happened on October 7th and the cries of the families for their loved ones to be returned breaks the hearts of all Israelis and people around the world.
