Family members of several of the hostages who are being held in the Gaza Strip delivered a special statement this morning (Friday) as the Cabinet is convening to vote on the hostage deal with the Hamas terrorist organization.
The families are calling on the negotiating team to act today to finalize all stages of the deal and ensure the return of all hostages under the agreement until the last hostage is home.
Michel Illouz, father of Guy Illouz, addressed the crowd in English. "I'm the father of Guy Illouz, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival and murdered in Hamas captivity. I welcome this deal with joy in my heart for every hostage saved, for every life saved. I want to thank President Trump, President Biden, and both administrations for making this finally happen. This deal comes too late for my son, whose life will not be saved, but he can be brought back home to burial here. Our work is not done. We will not rest until every hostage is home - the living and the dead. They all need to return to us, their families."
Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, added: "For 469 days our loved ones have been abandoned in captivity, and now, finally, there's hope. It's important to emphasize that the signed agreement is a comprehensive deal in phases. Our role is to do everything to ensure the agreement is fully implemented and secure everyone's return until the last hostage. This is the time for everyone to leave their homes and demand the completion of the entire agreement. This agreement must be followed through to the end, to bring everyone home and end the war. Ending the war, returning everyone, and returning to normalcy is in Israel's interest! This will be the beginning of the healing and rehabilitation process that the country so desperately needs."
Anat Angrest, mother of Matan Angrest, welcomed the deal as an Israeli victory: "Soon I'll watch other mothers receive their children into their arms and I'll be happy for them, but my heart will break over the injustice done to you. Too many soldiers were killed and wounded trying to bring you back. We demand that the Israeli government turn day 43 of the deal's implementation into the first day of the second phase – to continue saving lives and return the murdered for burial. Ending the war with everyone's return is a tremendous achievement for the State of Israel."
Daniel Lifshitz, grandson of Oded Lifshitz, who has been named as one of the first to be released, welcomed the deal for all 98 hostages remaining. "My grandfather Oded Lifshitz is 84, we're waiting to see his return home. We hostage families, and I whose grandfather might be released in this phase, will be here until the last hostage is released - for my grandmother, it's not just my grandfather, it's 98 hostages. At this moment, all families are more united than ever behind the return of the first 33 hostages and from there the return of all hostages. We won't let the war continue, we won't stop until the last hostage is home. On Sunday we begin a new era of our country."