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CNN –
Leaked audio recordings of a meeting between freed Israeli hostages and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have revealed significant anger over the government’s behavior as well as Hamas’ ongoing terror in Gaza before captivity.
Audio recordings of the meeting between the former hostages, the relatives of some still detained and the Israeli war cabinet on Tuesday were leaked, parts of which were published on the Israeli news site ynet.
This comes amid increasing pressure on Netanyahu to secure the release of remaining prisoners and scrutiny of Israel’s increasing military campaign in Gaza.
Ynet also reported that Netanyahu’s efforts to respond to the hostages and relatives were met with tense and angry remarks.
In one recording you can hear how an abductee was freed with her children – but without her husband, who remains captive – and says: “We had the feeling there that no one was doing anything for us.” The fact is that I was in a hiding place that was shot at and we had to be smuggled out and were wounded. Add to that the helicopter that shot at us on the way to Gaza.”
She added: “They have no information. You have no information. The fact that we were shot at, the fact that no one knew anything about where we were… They claim there is intelligence information. But the fact is that we are under fire. My husband was separated from us and taken to prison three days before we returned to Israel [Hamas] Tunnel” under Gaza.
Israel has carried out intensive airstrikes on Gaza since Hamas attacked the country on October 7, in which more than 240 people were captured. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah, citing sources in the Hamas-controlled enclave, the conflict has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and resulted in the deaths of more than 15,000 Palestinians.
The former abductee continues: “Do you think the men are strong? My husband beat himself every day, slapped his face until it bled because it was too much for him, and now he is alone, in God knows what conditions.”
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images
A demonstration demands the release of an Israeli hostage in Tel Aviv.
“And you want to overthrow the Hamas government to show that you have more guts? There is no life here that is more important than others,” she adds. “None of us there deserves worse treatment than any resident of Israel. Give them all back and not in a month, two months or a year.”
Referring to reports that the Israeli military is considering flooding Hamas tunnels in Gaza, she continues: “And you are talking about washing the tunnels with sea water? They bombard the tunnel route exactly where they are. The girls ask me where is their father? And I have to tell them that the bad guys don’t want to release him yet.”
The woman added: “You are putting politics above the return of the abductees.”
“We felt abandoned”
Netanyahu has been under intense pressure for weeks over the status of the Israelis still being held hostage by Hamas.
A deal with Hamas has since released dozens of prisoners – mostly women and children – but the government remains under pressure to secure the release of the remaining prisoners and has faced questions about the time it took to reach a deal. The IDF announced on Friday that 136 hostages were still being held in Gaza, including 17 women and children.
According to Ynet’s report on the meeting, one man shared what family members had told him after his release. “They were under constant threat from IDF fire. They sat in front of us and assured us that it was not a threat to their lives. They also roam the streets and [are] not just in the tunnels. They are mounted on donkeys and carts. They won’t recognize them on the street and will endanger their lives. It is our duty to return them now.”
And according to Ynet, a parent whose son was kidnapped told the congregation it was his son’s birthday and asked, “What do you have to say to him?” He saved people there. You left him.”
Referring to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a War Cabinet member, the parent added: “You are arguing, Gallant, at a press conference. Enough. Take her home.”
Statements from released prisoners provide information about the prison conditions of the prisoners. Many cited limited supplies and food; Some said they were unaware of their relatives’ fate while in captivity, and some hostages remained hospitalized for days after their release.
A woman who had been a hostage said at the meeting that those who remained captive were living “on borrowed time.” They lie on mattresses all day, most of them need glasses and hearing aids that were taken away when they were kidnapped, they have difficulty seeing and hearing, which further impairs their function. While I was there, I helped them slowly get up from the mattresses and be a little active. “I don’t know what they’ve done since I left,” the woman said, according to the released audio recording.
“In addition to her physical condition, I feel that I have left her in a very poor mental state. I and those who were released before me – I was young and active, I took care of them, I helped them maintain optimism. They know they have to survive, but they are on the verge of losing hope.”
In addition to considering the release of hostages, Netanyahu and his government have been criticized for failing to prevent Hamas’ October 7 attack.
The attack was widely viewed as a major failure by Israeli intelligence, and in October several senior defense and security officials came forward to accept some responsibility for the missteps that led to the attacks.
The woman heard in the recording added during the meeting: “While we were there we felt abandoned twice, once on Saturday (October 7) when you failed to protect us.” And every day, that passes, a second time, that we will not be released. We didn’t think we would stay there for so long.”
She made an appeal to the War Cabinet. “Every day that passes is a game of roulette in her life. Why don’t you release (Palestinian) prisoners? Release them all and bring them (hostages) back. They are living on borrowed time. Your life is in your hands and I ask you, in light of what I said and what we hear from other laid off people and what we hear in the media, that there are all sorts of possibilities. If you, each and every one of you, can commit to not giving up an opportunity to bring everyone home and not to put it off for a day or an hour.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments on the meeting were not published but were reported by Ynet. CNN cannot verify its accuracy.
Maya Alleruzzo/AP
Netanyahu has come under fire for the Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent capture of more than 200 Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu reportedly told the hostages: “I have come together with my friends to hear you. There is still darkness to be removed. And we have to bring them all back. I heard the fear, the humiliation, the suffering, the torture, the rape. This thing is shaking the whole world and it is important to continue to tell the story. It’s important that we listen. You’re right: there’s a huge corporation collecting evidence and trying to reach every single one. How to include everyone.”
At this point there was heckling and some people said “shame”.
Referring to a dog tag with the name of a hostage that had been given to him, Netanyahu said: “The dog tag you gave me is next to my bed, it is in my heart.”
But the father replied: “You don’t hang it around your neck because you’re ashamed,” to which Netanyahu replied: “Absolutely, absolutely not.”
Netanyahu continued: “The first question you asked is whether we have the ability to bring them all home at once.” It is important to know, and my friends can confirm this, that this thing does not exist has. Until we started ground maneuvers, there was nothing. Nothing, nada, zero. Just talk.
“It was only when we began ground maneuvers that the pressure began to signal Hamas, and this opened the possibility of releasing hostages. With God’s help we were able to expand the list and with the help of [US] president [Joe] Biden, whom we asked to help him in this matter.”
When Netanyahu said Hamas was responsible for the end of the ceasefire, a person Ynet identified as a family member of a released hostage responded: “Nonsense.”
Netanyahu replied: “No nonsense. What I am saying here are clear facts. I respect you too much. I heard your sorrow. We couldn’t release everyone at once. The prize they want is no prisoners. The prize they want isn’t just the prisoners.”
The prime minister continued: “It is shocking to hear what you have been through given our shelling and our IDF activities, and it still continues.”
“I can tell you that it not only penetrates the heart, it influences, as you will surely hear from my friends, the way we think about our actions, and if you wanted to bring that message – you brought it.”
Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the leaked recordings.