Sign Of Life From Hostage Matan Zangauker: ‘We Die A Thousand Times A Day’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Hamas terror group published on Saturday footage of hostage Matan Zangauker, who was kidnapped to Gaza during the October 7 massacre, together with his girlfriend Ilana Gritzewsky.

Gritzewsky was released in the November 2023 prisoner swap deal.

Last week, Hamas published footage of hostage Edan Alexander. In the video clip, Alexander, an American citizen, said that he had been held for over 420 days, and asked US President-elect Donald Trump to free him.

In the video clip, Zangauker turns to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that he is “very disappointed” in the offer to give anyone who brings a hostage home alive a sum of $5 million and safe exit from Gaza.

“You do not understand your enemies’ mentality,” he said, adding that the prisoners “die a thousand times a day, and no one feels for us.”

In his statement – which is dictated entirely by Hamas – Zangauker calls on Israelis to “go out and protest” the government’s policies, and to pressure the government to agree to a deal.

The family of Matan Zangauker authorizes the release of the video published today (Saturday) by Hamas.

At the family’s request, please refrain from using the term “psychological terrorism” and instead use “proof of life.”

Matan Zangauker, 24, was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir… pic.twitter.com/cOdXjgRMeZ

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) December 7, 2024

The Hostages Families Forum stated: “Matan Zangauker, 24, was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th during the early morning Hamas attack. He was abducted alongside his partner, Ilana Gritzewsky Camhi, who was released as part of a hostage deal after enduring 55 days in captivity.”

“The release of Matan’s video, coming just one week after Edan Alexander’s, provides further evidence that after more than 420 days in captivity, there are hostages still alive and enduring severe suffering. Through these 420 days of ongoing abuse, malnutrition, and confinement in darkness, the critical need to secure the return of all 100 remaining hostages becomes more urgent with each passing hour. As time grows increasingly precious, we urge all parties involved in negotiations to explore every available path and apply all possible forms of pressure — these hostages’ lives hang by a thread.”