Matan Zangauker, 25, one of more than 240 Israeli hostages held by Hamas since its October 7, 2023 massacre of Jews. Zangauker’s circumstances have recently worsened. Friends say he is experiencing extreme mental anguish and has not eaten or spoken since being captured. Edan Alexander, the other hostage released last week, provided chilling details on Zangauker’s health. Because of this, his family found out about his dangerous situation.
Zangauker’s years-long fight to save his Kohr has affected his physical health. In the past few months, he has lost a lot of weight and been having severe abdominal pain. According to released testimony from his lawyer, he received an emergency medical procedure while in captivity because of these major health concerns. His family remains greatly troubled by his safety and health. His mother, Einav Zangauker, described her pain of seeing her son experience such a crisis.
“Since I learned about the torture and the physical and mental suffering my son is enduring, I haven’t been able to eat, and I can barely breathe. How can a mother survive knowing her son, who suffers from a degenerative muscle disease, is being held alone in captivity? Can he even stand on his own? Hold a glass of water? My heart is breaking over what he’s going through,” – Einav Zangauker
Zangauker’s family noticed that Hamas has been providing him and Edan Alexander larger portions of food over the past few months. What remains striking is the utter horror of their conditions while in captivity. The emotional toll on Zangauker has been deep, raising concerns that if forced to remain alone, her disconnection might someday end in deathly results.
Israeli-Palestinian activist Einav Zangauker issued an emergency plea for an immediate ceasefire from the Israeli government. In return, he called for an immediate release of all remaining hostages in Gaza. She pointed to the urgency of the situation, explaining how further militarized actions could worsen her son’s health needs.
“While they are living in hell, the Israeli government is bombing the area where Matan is being held. The prime minister can no longer say he didn’t know or hadn’t heard. Continued military pressure and the isolation Matan is experiencing will lead to his death. The Israeli government must end the war and put a real initiative to bring everyone back on the table,” – Einav Zangauker
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum voiced sharp discontent with the Israeli government’s negotiation prowess. They focused attention on the failed efforts to release hostages like Matan Zangauker. They announced that, for 19 months, the highest moral obligation has gone unfulfilled—returning their kidnapped brothers and sisters home. The continuing inability to even rescue the last of them remains an ongoing and scalding shame. There will be no half, quarter, and most of all, no full win until this is done.
Public pressure is growing, both internationally and locally, for Israeli authorities to make a decisive call. Matan Zangauker’s life and tragic fate is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. His family’s wish for him to come home safe makes clear just how desperately we need a resolution to this still tragic story.
