'Bring them all home': Israeli hostage families plead with Trump to push for hostage deal - Video
As the war in Gaza continues into its 19th month, the families of Israeli hostages held in Hamas captivity have launched an emotional plea to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to pressure the Israeli government into securing a comprehensive hostage release deal.
The calls came after the release of Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American dual citizen, ignited both relief and renewed anguish among families whose loved ones remain in captivity.
At the heart of the plea was Yehuda Cohen, father of Nimrod Cohen, who has been held hostage in Gaza for nearly two years. In an emotional statement, he appealed directly to Trump and his allies:
"Mr. Donald Trump, Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Adam Boehler, please continue the job. Please remember, Netanyahu is deceiving you. Netanyahu is lying to you. Same as Netanyahu is betraying us. He's betraying us. He's betraying the hostages for his personal purpose."
Cohen accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately prolonging the war for political survival rather than working toward a deal that could bring the hostages home:
"We all know that Netanyahu is working on stalling and prolonging the war on the blood, on the blood of Israeli civilians and Israeli soldiers. Please continue what you started. Please make Netanyahu, force Netanyahu, push Netanyahu to go for a hostage deal. End the war and a hostage deal. This is the only way," he added.
The emotional gravity of the moment was compounded by Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, who has spent 584 days in Hamas captivity. Speaking in Hebrew, she described her son's fragile condition:
"My Matan is being held captive, together with Edan Alexander, who is being released today, and my heart, my heart is torn from the knowledge that my child will rot under torture and loneliness in Hamas captivity, alone. My Matan will not survive there alone with his muscular dystrophy."
Her appeal to Trump was filled with urgency and desperation as she said, "Mr President, sir, all of the Israeli people are behind you, end this war. Bring them all home. The coming week will determine the fate of the hostages. The coming week will determine the fate of my Matan, life or death."
