Hamas deceives Israeli hostage into believing he would be freed
- Matan Zangauker, an Israeli hostage, was misled by Hamas about his release.
- Zangauker believed he would be freed and did not send a message to his mother.
- The manipulation has worsened his psychological trauma, prompting calls for international action.
In the ongoing conflict in the Gaza region, Matan Zangauker, a 21-year-old Israeli from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was taken hostage during the October 7 attacks in 2023. His family recently discovered that Hamas misled him into thinking he would be released alongside fellow hostage Edan Alexander. This deception occurred during a hostage exchange when Zangauker was falsely instructed by Hamas operatives to pack his belongings for a return to Israel, reinforcing the psychological trauma he has experienced while in captivity. On the day of Alexander's release, Zangauker believed he would soon reunite with his family, which led him to refrain from conveying a message to his mother with Alexander. However, instead of being freed, Zangauker was abruptly informed by Hamas that he would remain in captivity. The manipulative tactic employed by Hamas reportedly took a severe emotional toll on him, amplifying the psychological distress caused by over a year of confinement. Furthermore, the Zangauker family has expressed deep concern over his current mental state. In a recent development, Hamas released a photograph that purportedly showed Zangauker connected to an IV drip, claiming he was at risk due to Israeli military actions in the area of his captivity. Israeli officials have questioned the authenticity of the image, stating that Hamas uses hostages as human shields and tools of psychological warfare against Israel. The unsettling conditions of hostages like Zangauker have intensified calls for international pressure aimed at forcing Hamas to release all remaining captives, which amounts to over 100 individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals. Eyal Zangauker, Matan's father, has been a prominent voice in the efforts to secure the release of hostages. He has actively participated in demonstrations alongside other affected families, urging the Israeli government to negotiate a resolution that would bring home their loved ones. Eyal emphasizes that this matter transcends political strategy and is fundamentally a moral issue, highlighting the human lives at stake within the confines of Hamas's violent directives. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office has reiterated its determination to ensure the safe return of all hostages, but no specific comment has been made regarding the details surrounding Zangauker's case or the recent misleading communication from Hamas.