A major controversy erupted Tuesday following remarks by Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said there were "fewer" than 24 living hostages, after her husband stated there are "up to 24 living hostages" in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum immediately demanded clarification and warned, "On the eve of Memorial Day, you've sown indescribable panic in the hearts of hostage families."
In their statement, the families asked, "What did you mean when you said 'fewer'? Do you know something we don't? We demand that the prime minister clarify his and his wife's statements. If there is intelligence or new information regarding our loved ones' condition, we demand to know it in full."
Amid the growing controversy, a source involved in the negotiations clarified that the number of living hostages stands firmly at 24 – the same official figure that has been provided to mediators in ongoing talks for their release.
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, sharply criticized the comments, "If the Prime Minister's wife has new information about hostages who were killed, I demand to know whether my Matan is still alive or was murdered in captivity because your husband refuses to end the war. You did something unconscionable for all the families – it's their child you determined was killed in captivity, and on Memorial Day eve. Enough! We deserve different leadership!"
