Matan Tsangauker’s Mother Confirms Her Son Is Still Alive – After 588 Days in Hamas Captivity

Einav Tsengauker, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Tsengauker, shared an emotional update on Friday, confirming she received a new sign of life from her son, held captive by Hamas for 588 days.

Speaking at a cultural event in Tel Aviv, she revealed that the release of fellow hostage Edan Alexander this week provided fresh confirmation that “Matan is still alive.” This first sign of life since a Hamas video in December 2024.

Tsangauker expressed deep anxiety over intensified Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, telling Ynet, “I can’t sleep. The bombings terrify me for my son’s life.” She warned that military pressure has previously killed hostages and insisted, “The only way to bring Matan and all the hostages home is through a comprehensive deal and ending the war.” She accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict for political reasons, risking further isolation for Israel.

Edan Alexander, freed after 584 days, was discharged from Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital on Friday after completing medical tests. The hospital remains on standby to treat other returning hostages.

Past testimonies confirmed Alexander and Tsangauker were held together in Hamas tunnels, enduring harsh conditions. Alexander described being shackled, beaten, and interrogated, with his head covered by a sack for periods. He recounted tunnel collapses and the terror of Israeli airstrikes shaking their confines, leaving him malnourished and covered in sores.

In the December video, Matan, possibly under duress, said he had been held over 420 days and pleaded, “People of Israel, don’t abandon us. We’re still alive. We want to return safely before we lose our minds.” Kidnapped from his home on October 7, 2023, alongside his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky, who was released in November 2023, Matan remains a focal point of his mother’s relentless advocacy. Einav, who has become a prominent figure in the hostage families’ campaign, continues to criticize Israel’s leadership for stalling on deals.

As airstrikes escalate and President Trump’s regional visit nears its end, the Hostage Families Forum warns Israel risks missing a critical opportunity for a broader peace deal. For Einav, the fight is personal: “I hope to sit with you again, Matan, to eat, talk, and drink together.”