Netanyahu: "There are up to 24 living hostages" | Sarah whispered: "Fewer"

A controversy erupted today (Tuesday) at noon, following comments by Sarah Netanyahu, the Prime Minister's wife, during a meeting with torch lighters. After Netanyahu referred to the number of hostages in captivity, "up to 24 hostages," she added in a whisper: "Fewer."

Netanyahu's office distributed the entire meeting to the media, including the filmed segment showing Sarah Netanyahu's correction. Kan News reported that Sarah Netanyahu's statement relates to partial information "considered classified and shared in sensitive forums."

However, a source on the negotiation team stated today that the number of living hostages (24) is indeed the correct official number, and it is also the official number that the hostage and missing persons coordinator submitted to mediators during negotiations. According to this, it was apparently confusion on Sarah's part.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, who frequently criticizes the government and Netanyahu, responded today to Sarah Netanyahu's comment saying: "If the Prime Minister's wife has new information about hostages who were killed, I demand to know whether my Matan is still alive or was murdered in captivity, because your husband refuses to end the war."

She added, "You did something unacceptable. For all the families, it's their child that you determined was murdered in captivity, and on the eve of Memorial Day. We've had enough. We deserve different leadership."

Boaz Zalmanovich, son of Aryeh Zalmanovich who was kidnapped, murdered, and whose body remains in captivity, also reacted on his X account to Sarah Netanyahu's words, wondering: "Why is she exposed to these materials? Does she have security clearance? Sensitivity she certainly doesn't have."

In the segment in question, Netanyahu is heard saying: "We have, of course, another important mission, not only to win, but also to bring home; to date we have returned 196 of our hostages, 147 alive. There are up to 24 alive." At this point, Sarah is seen nodding and whispering to Netanyahu "Fewer." The Prime Minister immediately continued: "I say up to, and the rest, unfortunately, are not alive, and we will bring them back."

The Families Headquarters responded: "On the eve of Memorial Day, you have sown indescribable panic in the hearts of the families of the hostages, who are already in excruciating uncertainty. What did you mean when you said 'fewer'? Do you know something we don't know?

"We demand that the Prime Minister clarify his words and those of his wife. If there is intelligence or new information regarding the condition of our loved ones, we demand to know it in full."