‘An irreversible loss’: Hostage families demand security cabinet reach Gaza deal
Family members of the hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza have gathered outside the “Kirya” on Sunday night, demanding to meet with the security cabinet.
Family members of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza gathered outside the “Kirya” (IDF headquarters) on Sunday night, demanding that the cabinet reach a hostage deal, according to a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
“Your refusal to discuss the details of the deal currently on the negotiation table represents an irreversible loss,” the statement said.
“Sit down at the negotiating table now and don’t get up until a viable agreement is reached for the return of every last hostage.”
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, questioned the cabinet’s decision to convene. “What exactly is this Cabinet convening for? I really want to ask you, Benjamin Netanyahu. Your Cabinet members boast – they actually boast – about thwarting deals that were on the table.”
“Now there is a deal on the table. Instead of taking it and leveraging it into a comprehensive agreement that would guarantee the return of the hostages – both the living and the deceased – and end the war, what are you convening for now?” Zangauker stated.
Demonstrators protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, August 31, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)
Hostage families have in recent weeks called for national strikes and mass demonstrations to pressure the government to secure a deal to return the 48 hostages that remain in Hamas captivity.
Dozens of teenage activists block Ayalon
Earlier on Sunday, dozens of teenage activists blocked the northern Ayalon Highway near Rokach Interchange. During the demonstration, the protesters set up a classroom display on the road, set fire to the area, and, according to their claims, one of the teens was arrested. The display was eventually cleared, but the teenagers announced that they would not attend school tomorrow, September 1.
The group declared that they would shut down high schools across the country in protest against the government’s inaction on the hostage issue.
Uri Sela contributed to this report. This is a developing story.
