Sun Dec 08 03:53:55 UTC 2024: ## New Video Shows Israeli Hostage Alive, Fueling Calls for Negotiated Release

**Tel Aviv/Gaza City –** A new video released Saturday by Hamas’s armed wing shows Matan Zangauker, an Israeli hostage held in Gaza since October 2023, alive and appealing for his release. The undated, three-and-a-half-minute video shows Zangauker, who was 24 at the time of his abduction from the Nir Oz kibbutz, urging the Israeli government to secure the release of all captives held in Gaza. His partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, was released during a previous truce.

The release of the video has intensified pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zangauker’s mother, Einav, a prominent activist for hostage release, directly addressed Netanyahu, stating that her son’s survival is not guaranteed and demanding a comprehensive deal to secure the release of all hostages, even if it means ending the ongoing war. She accused the government of stalling negotiations.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum echoed these concerns, stating that the video underscores the urgent need for action to save the lives of the remaining hostages, whose lives they described as “hanging by a thread.”

Large protests erupted across Israel on Saturday night, including in Tel Aviv, where Einav Zangauker participated, demanding the government prioritize a deal with Hamas. These protests have been ongoing since the start of the conflict.

Currently, 96 Israelis remain held captive in Gaza, according to Israeli military figures, out of the 251 abducted during the October 2023 attack. While reports suggest 34 are confirmed dead, concerns remain high for the remaining hostages.

Despite months of stalled negotiations mediated by Qatar, Cairo, and Washington, a source close to the Hamas delegation suggests a new round of talks is likely to begin next week. Qatar has also affirmed a renewed momentum in the negotiations. Critics continue to accuse Netanyahu of prioritizing his far-right coalition over securing the release of the hostages.

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