‘Fewer than’ 24 hostages left alive: Sara Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara has let slip apparently classified information about the number of hostages still alive in Gaza, causing outrage among the prisoners’ families.

Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara. Picture: AFP.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s wife Sara has let slip apparently classified information that “fewer than” 24 hostages are left alive in Gaza, sparking outrage among the captives’ families.

The slip was overheard on Mrs Netanyahu’s microphone at a meeting the Israeli Prime Minister was holding with holiday torchbearers, at an event marking the country’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of militant attacks.

After at first appearing to forget to mention the hostages in his address, Mr Netanyahu said: “We have of course an important task, not only to win but also to bring home (the hostages). “Until today we have returned 196 of our hostages, 147 of whom were alive. There are … up to 24 living. Up to 24 living.”

Standing beside her husband Mrs Netanyahu interrupted quietly, saying: “Fewer,” before Mr Netanyahu hurriedly repeated the official figure of 24.

“I say up to,” he said. “And the rest are, I’m sorry to say, not alive. And we will return them.”

There are currently 59 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity. In recent weeks, the Israeli government said it believes up to 24 are still alive.

Mrs Netanyahu’s information that fewer than two dozen have survived Hamas captivity is based on classified information recently relayed to cabinet ministers, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reports.

Israeli officials told CNN last week there were “grave concerns” for three of the hostages, without giving any further information. Officials used the same language to refer to the two youngest hostages Kfer and Ariel Bibas and their mother Shiri Bibas, whose bodies were returned in the most recent ceasefire.

The hostages’ families have reacted in fury, with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accusing the Netanyahus of causing them “indescribable horror.”

“What did you mean when you said ‘fewer’? Do you know something we don’t?” the Forum demanded in a statement. “We demand the prime minister clarify his and his wife’s comments. If there is intelligence or new information about our loved ones’ condition, we demand to know it in full.”

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, who is thought still to be alive, asked Mrs Netanyahu on X if her son: “was murdered because your husband refuses to end the war.”

“As far as the families are concerned, it’s their child whose murder in captivity you announced, and on the eve of Memorial Day, no less,” said Mrs Zangauker, a high profile critic of Mr Netanyahu.

On Tuesday, Israel released a Palestinian medic who has been held prisoner since soldiers killed 15 of his colleagues last month and buried them in a mass grave in southern Gaza. He was one of 10 detainees released back to the Gaza Strip.