Hostage survivors, family members hold Kabbalat Shabbat outside Katz home

“I would give everything to see my Matan beside me tonight,” Zangauker said.

Hamas captivity survivors and families of hostages held a Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday evening outside the home of Defense Minister Israel Katz in protest of the Gaza City occupation plan announced earlier.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum organized the event. Other Israelis also joined the families.

‘Until every hostage returns, I won’t have a real Shabbat meal’

“We missed so many Friday meals, and we’re still missing them,” said captivity survivor Iair Horn, whose brother Eitan remains in captivity.

“Until they all return, you can’t call this Kabbalat Shabbat. Our family is completely broken, but we’ve become one big family. Until every one of the hostages returns, I won’t have a real Shabbat meal.”

Captivity survivor Ohad Ben Ami described conditions in captivity. “When Friday came – a special day – we received a quarter pita and a cup of water. We would make kiddush over the water and say the blessing over bread,” he said. “I’m here now, but the five friends I was with are still there, all 50 hostages in the tunnels. They don’t have time. The government thinks it has time – we won’t sit quietly.”

Ben Ami also said that Hamas told the hostages the Israeli government had abandoned them, but they were encouraged by signs of public support. “We saw with our own eyes that the people had not given up on us,” he said.

Einav Zangauker, mother of captive Matan Zangauker, said: “All of Israel wants to see our fighters coming home from war… to guarantee the security of its citizens, we must end this injustice that has been done to our loved ones for 22 months. Everyone who eats around the Shabbat table tonight – appreciate the family members beside you. I would give everything to see my Matan beside me tonight.”