Captive's Mother Details Shin Bet Request and Netanyahu Criticisms

Einav Zangauker, mother of captive Matan Zangauker, revealed new details about her struggle for his release during an interview on Channel 13. She discussed intelligence cooperation, a covert request from the Shin Bet, and her tense interactions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Intelligence Updates and Psychological Warfare

Zangauker recalled that in the immediate aftermath of October 7, military officials told her there was a 40 percent probability that Matan was alive and a 60 percent probability that he was dead. Over time, however, she received more frequent updates. She monitored Hamas Telegram channels and cross-referenced information with military intelligence officers to track her son's safety.

She also recounted an unusual operation where the Shin Bet asked her to record a video in Arabic inside a safe house to attract Hamas's attention and potentially secure a sign of life. "I was asked by the Shin Bet to go to a safe house. There was a green screen. They gave me a text, and I had to memorize sentences in Arabic," she said.

Criticism of the Prime Minister

Zangauker harshly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sarah Netanyahu, recalling a tense early meeting with them. She accused the leadership of indifference toward the families of hostages and described her deep disillusionment.

The disregard that came from Bibi toward the families did not come from him alone, but also from Sarah. It made me truly angry.

She described a phone call with Netanyahu regarding the release of another captive, Edan Alexander. Zangauker demanded that if Alexander was released, Matan must also be freed, noting that both men were surviving together in a tunnel. According to Zangauker, her request to transfer Matan to a safer location alongside other living captives was ignored.