Ilana Gritzewsky is fighting against time to secure her boyfriend’s release from Hamas captivity. As the talk of negotiations for freeing hostages continues, there’s concern that Matan Zangauker, a young man just celebrated his 25th birthday, might not be part of the first group to be released. Gritzewsky fears that a potential deal could fall through, leaving Zangauker’s life hanging in the balance.
Gritzewsky’s personal experience makes this situation even more traumatic for her. She was kidnapped herself, held for 55 days before being freed in a ceasefire agreement last year. “All hostages need to come home,” she insists. “If we don’t secure the release of everyone, those still in captivity may not survive.”
Families of those being held in Gaza are anxious and restless despite reports of ongoing negotiations. The past 14 months have been filled with anguish and uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones. Nevertheless, they tirelessly campaign for their release while the world seems to focus on other pressing issues.
“I promised my friends back in the kibbutz that I would do everything I could to help them,” Gritzewsky said. “And I often wonder if I am doing enough.”
Since the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250, the landscape in Israel has drastically changed. In retaliation, Israeli forces have conducted operations in Gaza, which has led to reported Palestinian casualties numbering over 45,000, according to Gaza officials who claim that many victims are civilians.
A brief truce in November saw about 100 hostages released, but many others remain unaccounted for. The ongoing discussions indicate that the next phase of releases might primarily involve women and the elderly, yet families are calling for a more comprehensive approach to get everyone freed at once.
Both Zangauker and Gritzewsky were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz and held separately. Gritzewsky received news that Zangauker was nearby just before her own release, but she was not allowed to see him. Recently, Hamas released a video of Zangauker, apparently under duress, where he described his conditions and implored the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a resolution. “Seeing him was a relief, but that doesn’t mean he is safe,” Gritzewsky remarked. “What I want is for him to be here, not just a video or a photo.”
The clip brought back painful memories of her own captivity—the sleepless nights filled with interrogations and the inhumane conditions she endured. Gritzewsky suffered multiple injuries during her ordeal, leaving lasting marks on her physical and emotional well-being. “What they are experiencing is torture in every way, constantly.”
She has been vocal in raising awareness about the plight of the hostages and the desperate need for their return. Despite her own trauma, Gritzewsky continues to participate in protests alongside Zangauker’s mother, who has emerged as a passionate advocate for the hostages.
Einav Zangauker, once a supporter of Netanyahu, is now critical of his approach to the ongoing conflict. She has dedicated herself to pressuring the government to secure a ceasefire that ensures the release of all hostages simultaneously. During a parliamentary committee meeting, she forcefully expressed, “If my son comes home in pieces, I will take justice into my own hands!”
Although Gritzewsky has escaped the horrors of captivity, she feels incomplete until all hostages, especially Zangauker, are returned. “It’s as if time has stood still since October 7. Life goes on around us, but ours feels shattered,” she lamented.
