Israeli National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi met on Thursday with family members of hostages in Gaza and unofficial reports told of a highly charged conversation between the sides that ensued.
Channel 12 reported that Hanegbi told the families that "we'll manage to obtain the first step of the deal (those hostages in the humanitarian category) within a few short months. It won't take many months or years. If the hostages don't return in a few weeks or months, we don't have another plan up our sleeve. We will continue fighting in Gaza and the north, and we will assess the situation."
"I don't believe this government will complete the entire deal. This government will not decide to end the war in return for all the hostages. We must continue to fight so there won't be another October 7th, 2027," he asserted.
During the meeting, one of the participants criticized the Prime Minister for the repairs being made to the pool at his home: "During a war, you don't find money to build a swimming pool."
Hanegbi angrily answered: "He can build ten swimming pools with his money. These are disgusting remarks. They have no place during these meetings. There's no place to hate and grieve like that."
The participant responded: "I have all the room to grieve and to hate because I was in the shelter for 15 hours, I escaped terrorists and I stepped over bodies and you didn't." Hanegbi retorted: "OK, so insult me." The participant burst into tears and left the room.
Another participant was enraged by the conduct and intended to leave the room as well. Hanegbi remarked: "Are you also going to make a dramatic exit and slam the door behind you?"
A comment on the unofficial report was made on behalf of the National Security Council Director, in which he said: "The National Security Council Director met with each family of the hostages who wished to meet him since the war began. The National Security Council Director does not record these meetings and does not publicize their content. This is the proper way to have an open dialogue and that is how it is between the political echelon and the grieving families. I will not deviate from this practice, even after this meeting. Israel is obligated to bring to the release of the hostage, and that is what we will do."