Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his first visit to Nir Oz kibbutz near the Gaza border on Thursday, nearly 21 months after Hamas militants stormed the area, killing and kidnapping a quarter of its residents. The visit came as Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense criticism over his government’s failure to prevent the October 2023 attack and amid growing protests demanding the return of hostages still held in Gaza. His visit was marked by a mix of protests, embraces, and quiet appeals from families desperate for the safe return of their loved ones.
Vows to Bring Hostages Home
During his visit, Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by his wife Sara, walked through the devastated kibbutz and promised to help rebuild the community while pledging to secure the return of all hostages, both living and deceased. “I feel a deep commitment – first of all to ensure the return of all of our hostages, all of them,” Benjamin Netanyahu said, acknowledging that 20 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, while others are presumed dead. His comments sought to reassure families who have spent nearly two years in anguish, waiting for news amid ongoing violence.
The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas was the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust, with militants crossing from Gaza and attacking Nir Oz and surrounding areas, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. The attack, and the government’s failure to prevent it, has left Benjamin Netanyahu facing mounting public pressure while reshaping the political landscape in Israel.
Meeting With Families Amid a Push for Ceasefire
Among those who met Benjamin Netanyahu was Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was taken hostage and is believed to be alive while battling muscular dystrophy in captivity. Previously critical of Benjamin Netanyahu for prioritising his political survival over ending the war, Zangauker hugged him during the visit, later writing on X that she urged him to act decisively. “I stressed to him that he has a mandate from the people of Israel to reach a comprehensive agreement for the return of all 50 hostages, the living and the fallen. Now is the time for action,” she posted.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit comes as he prepares to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, where they will discuss a proposed 60-day U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The proposal includes a phased release of hostages as part of the plan to de-escalate the conflict.
Since the attack, Israel’s military response has resulted in the deaths of over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, with widespread destruction across the enclave and the displacement of more than 2 million residents. The humanitarian crisis has intensified calls for a ceasefire, even as the Israeli government faces pressure to secure the hostages’ release before halting military operations.
The visit to Nir Oz underscores the complex balancing act Benjamin Netanyahu faces: addressing the pain and demands of families of hostages, managing domestic discontent, and navigating international diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war while attempting to rebuild trust within Israeli society shattered by the October 2023 attack.
