'Keep them safe' - Mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker pleads with terrorists in Hamas propaganda-style video

Einav Zangauker, the mother of Israeli hostage Matan, appeared in a hostage-style video, pleading with the terrorist organization Hamas to provide a sign of life from her son.

“I ask that you film them,” Zangauker pleaded in the video, where she speaks both Hebrew and Arabic. Furthermore, she also asked “the commanders of the [Hamas] Qassam Brigade in Khan Younis and our sons’ guards,” requesting that they “keep them safe until the implementation of a ceasefire.”

“We, like our sons, also feel like we are captives of Hamas, for over 500 days,” Einav stated in the video. She also urged U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and facilitate the return of her son and the other remaining hostages in Gaza.

“Please do everything in your power [to release the hostages],” adding that the Israeli government must secure the return of all hostages, “otherwise the war will not end.”

עינב צנגאוקר, אימו של מתן, במסר לשובים של מתן ולנשיא טראמפ:

אני עינב, אמא של מתן צנגאוקר.
אנחנו, כמו הבנים שלנו, גם מרגישות בשבי החמאס, כבר מעל 500 ימים. הפחד והבדידות הורגים אותם והורגים גם אותנו. האם הבנים שלנו גם יזכו לחזור הביתה? אל תשכחו אותם, אל תשכחו אותנו.

אני פונה אל… pic.twitter.com/doihiRLpLp

— כולנו חטופים (@Kulanu_Hatufim) March 27, 2025

She concluded the emotional video by addressing her kidnapped son.

“My Matan, mother is on her way… We are fighting every day to bring you back. Hold on, you will get out of there and back to us. We are all fighting for you.”

Matan Zangauker has been in captivity for 538 days since Hamas terrorists kidnapped him from his home in Nir Oz, a community near the Gaza border. His partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, was also abducted into Gaza and was released on Nov. 30, 2023, during the first hostage release deal.

In an interview earlier this week, Gritzewsky revealed she was sexually assaulted by Hamas terrorists while she was held captive.

In December 2024, Hamas released a propaganda video featuring Zangauker amid international efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. At the time, Hamas insisted that a ceasefire must include an end to “Israeli aggression.”

Zangauker’s current condition is unknown. Israeli officials estimate that some 59 hostages remain in Gaza and believe that up to 24 may still be alive.

Einav Zangauker used to be a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, she has now become a vocal critic of Netanyahu’s Gaza policy and an influential voice for the release of the remaining hostages.

Last November, she lashed out against the Netanyahu government, which she accuses of undermining the efforts to bring the remaining hostages home alive.

“I won’t let anyone deprive me of your embrace – not the prime minister, not [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben Gvir, and not [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich,” Einav said.

In December, during an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv, she warned Netanyahu: “I will be your worst nightmare” if her son did not survive the captivity in Gaza.

“I’m not threatening, I’m letting you know: you will have no forgiveness, no clemency. I, personally, will persecute you if my Matan comes home in a body bag. I will be your worst nightmare,” Einav said.

That same month, students across Israel walked out of their classrooms to mark Matan Zangauker’s second year in captivity, and to demand the release of the remaining hostages.

Einav thanked the Israeli youth for supporting her son.

“I want to thank the youth across the country, from north to south, who came out this morning to celebrate the second birthday of Matan Zangauker, the second in captivity. Matan is 25 today. But let's express one wish from north to south, that Matan will be the last abductee to celebrate his birthday in captivity,” she said.