U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met Saturday with families of Israeli hostages at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, but after more than two hours of conversation, relatives left discouraged and skeptical. The meeting followed the release of deeply distressing videos showing Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David in severely deteriorated condition after 666 days in Hamas captivity.
“Most Israelis want the hostages home,” Witkoff told the group. “And most Gazans want the hostages home too—they want Gaza rebuilt.” He added that efforts were ongoing to reach a deal for the release of all 50 remaining hostages and a resolution to the war. But for many of those present, the remarks offered little comfort.
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U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff meeting with the hostages' families
(Photo: Paulina Patimer)
“I didn’t expect anything from this meeting,” said one family member. “He’s repeating slogans—‘Hamas doesn’t want a deal.’ I asked him: It’s been eight months since Trump’s statement, three months since your last visit, and the situation has only gotten worse. He said they’re committed and doing everything they can. Just slogans. With 50 people in the room, you can’t have a real dialogue.”
Another participant said the meeting served primarily as a chance for families to “let off steam.” Witkoff spoke about the administration’s efforts, the relative added, “but there’s no real update.”
The meeting took place in a highly charged atmosphere at Hostage Square, where families had earlier erected barbed-wire installations to symbolize the suffering of those still held in Gaza. The release of the latest hostage videos, approved for publication only with family consent, has heightened tensions across Israel.
“They broke Rom—he fought for this nation,” said Adam Braslavski, Rom’s cousin. “Others live because of him. Watching the video once was enough—my nightmares worsened and death felt preferable.”
Einav Zanguaker, mother of hostage Matan Zanguaker, compared their ongoing ordeal to a present-day Holocaust. “This could have ended long ago if not for political failures. Our children are wasting away while politics prevail.”
Michal Iluz, father of Guy Iluz—who was killed and whose body remains in Gaza—voiced his despair. “I’ve lost my trust in the state. Some families are too broken even to attend.”
Anat Angerest, mother of hostage Matan Angerest, said Israel’s military coordinator for hostages, Gal Hirsch, dismissed documented signs of her son’s declining condition as “Hamas propaganda,” and cut off communication after she criticized authorities.
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On Thursday, Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video of Braslavski, reportedly filmed shortly before contact was lost with him and others. Rom’s mother, Tami Braslavski, demanded an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff, criticizing officials for failing to reach out after the footage emerged.
Meanwhile, despite reports that a Hamas delegation has moved from Doha to Turkey, Israel has left the door open for renewed talks if Hamas alters its position. But no decision is expected this week. According to CNN, Netanyahu has postponed any major military moves in Gaza pending a Hamas response to ongoing negotiation efforts.
First published: 12:19, 08.02.25