A firestorm erupted just before Israel's Memorial Day after people claimed that Sara Netanyahu quietly there are "less" (pachot in Hebrew) than 24 living hostages in Gaza, contradicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was seated next to her while he was speaking. The non-audible but visually convincing word caused the Prime Minister to clarify, stating that I did say "up to" 24 were still alive. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issued a scathing response, demanding clarity and accusing the Prime Minister’s wife of triggering widespread panic among already-grieving families. While officials maintain the official number is still 24, the controversial comment has fueled accusations of cruelty, miscommunication, and political callousness at the highest levels of leadership.
In a move that ignited a national uproar and intensified the pain of families clinging to hope, Sara Netanyahu, wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made a chilling and controversial remark Tuesday evening suggesting that fewer than 24 Israeli hostages remain alive in Gaza. Her statement came just hours after her husband claimed there are "up to 24 living hostages" — throwing families, negotiators, and the public into confusion and despair.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum immediately issued a sharply worded statement demanding urgent clarification. “What did you mean by ‘fewer’? Do you have intelligence that has not been shared with the families?” the group asked. “You’ve sown indescribable panic in the hearts of hostage families on the eve of Memorial Day — a sacred and emotionally loaded day for all Israelis.”
Somewhat unbelievable is an understatement. To make that comment on a day like today, hours from the sounding of the siren across the country to honor our fallen, shows a disconnect that is hard to ignore.
— Yaakov Katz (@yaakovkatz) April 29, 2025
Just so Sara Netanyahu doesn’t forget: There are 59 hostages - alive and… https://t.co/vyPWgivjRl
The outcry was swift and fierce. Many viewed Sara Netanyahu’s words as insensitive, unsubstantiated, and possibly informed by undisclosed intelligence. If so, families say, they deserve transparency. If not, the comment was wildly irresponsible and deeply cruel.
A source familiar with the ongoing negotiations with Hamas rushed to provide damage control, confirming that the number of living hostages remains officially at 24, consistent with figures relayed to international mediators facilitating the complex hostage release discussions.
But for families, the emotional damage had already been done.
Einav Zangauker, the mother of 22-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker, lashed out in anguish: “If the Prime Minister’s wife has knowledge that some hostages have been murdered in captivity, I demand to know now — is my son Matan one of them? Or is he being left to die because your husband refuses to end this war? This is monstrous. You announced their death on the eve of Memorial Day without warning or proof.”
ISRAEL: Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that "up to 24 hostages" are still alive during a speech at an Independence Day event.
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) April 29, 2025
His wife, Sara Netanyahu, interrupted to say "less," prompting him to clarify, "I said 'up to.'" pic.twitter.com/vqP9mIj6Eo
Zangauker’s emotional plea captured the collective despair of many hostage families who feel caught between a government that refuses to concede and a terror group that uses their loved ones as pawns. “It’s not your child rotting in a Hamas tunnel. You’ve crossed a line. Enough is enough. This country needs different leadership, compassionate leadership.”
The Prime Minister’s Office has not issued a formal clarification of either statement as of publication, leaving families and the public in a state of agonizing uncertainty.
