Watan-The Hebrew media reported that an exchange of insults, anger, and sharp divisions characterized a meeting held by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with the families of Israeli prisoners. This followed his statement that he cannot bring back all the prisoners, leading to a division among attendees between those supporting the continuation of ground warfare in Gaza and those opposing it.

Relatives of the prisoners claim that they are being ignored and threaten to organize a protest outside the Ministry of Defense of the occupation until they are allowed to see the War Cabinet.

According to the Hebrew newspaper “Times of Israel,” the families of prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza threatened on Monday during a meeting with members of the trilateral war government that they would escalate protests against the government if their demands were rejected.

They mentioned that they had requested a meeting two days ago after the collapse of the ceasefire with Hamas and the halt of hostage releases. They expressed anger at being ignored.

Yael Adar, the mother of the prisoner held by Hamas, Tameer Adar, stated in a press conference, according to the newspaper: “This disregard for us is humiliating.”

She added, “If they don’t meet with us by 8 PM tonight, we’ll need to question what needs to be done to intensify our protests,” stating that the families would gather at the entrance of the Kirya complex belonging to the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu denied ignoring the families, stating that a meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday. His office later mentioned that proceeding with the meeting is under consideration.

The newspaper reported that Defense Minister Ya’alon met with some hostage families on Sunday. Alongside Netanyahu and Minister Benny Gantz, the three form the special government specifically formed to oversee the war.

A Stain of Shame

Daniel Levshitz, whose grandfather, Yotam Yuchvid, was captured along with Oudid Levshitz on October 7, called on the government to release the hostages “at any cost.”

While Yuchvid has been released, 83-year-old Oudid Levshitz remains in captivity.

Daniel Levshitz urged a “return to the negotiating table immediately… and reaching an agreement at any cost. This is what the government promised us, and we will not plead.”

Speaking about Netanyahu, he added, “We have been ignored. We feel insulted by you. You have time for everything except the families. It is a stain of shame.”

Levshitz pledged that the families would gather at the gates of Kirya and remain there until a meeting takes place. He added that if the Cabinet couldn’t assist them, the families “will turn to an international body,” without specifying further.

Seeking Meetings

“Dani Meran,” whose son Omar was captured from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, called on the government to hold regular meetings with the families of the hostages. He stated, “We cannot be forced every time we request a meeting to hear about our loved ones to beg and humiliate ourselves.”

Haim Yitzhak Ohr, the brother of the hostage Avinatan Ohr, mentioned that for over two weeks, the war government had committed to holding regular meetings with the families, but it has yet to happen.

He said, “We have sat in silence, and we can no longer wait. We want answers.”

Netanyahu denied allegations that the Cabinet is ignoring the hostage families, stating that a meeting with them has already been scheduled later this week.

His office stated in a release, “A date has been set for a meeting between the war government and the hostage families on Wednesday.” It added, “Based on the families’ request, the possibility of rescheduling the meeting is being considered.”

Severe Criticism

Netanyahu met with the hostage families for the first time on October 15 amid severe criticism from their relatives, at a time when the occupying government had abandoned prisoners in Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Gantz held weekly meetings with the families, claiming during a meeting with them on Sunday that military pressure is pushing Hamas to release more hostages.

Gantz alleged during the mentioned meeting that discussions about extending the ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, collapsed due to Hamas‘s refusal to release more hostages. Instead, he claimed that Hamas sought to release captives from other categories, which he deemed a “violation of the agreement.