Ilana Gritzewsky is preventing a battle towards time to avoid wasting her boyfriend from Hamas captivity.

Whereas there seems to be progress towards a deal to free the remaining captives in phases, Matan Zangauker would possible not be launched within the first stage since he’s a younger man. Gritzewsky is terrified a deal may break down or he may die in captivity earlier than he’s freed.

Gritzewsky is aware of first-hand the perils dealing with her boyfriend, who turned 25 on Wednesday. She was kidnapped and held hostage for 55 days earlier than being launched throughout the one earlier ceasefire deal a yr in the past.

“All of the hostages have to get out,” mentioned Gritzewsky. “If we don’t launch all the hostages — all of the hostages in captivity — they are going to be lifeless.”

Many kin of individuals held in Gaza discover no reprieve in experiences that negotiations towards a deal are progressing. The renewed ceasefire talks are simply the newest twist in what’s been greater than 14 months of anguish, despair and uncertainty about their family members’ fates. Nonetheless, they dedicate themselves to lobbying for his or her family members’ freedom, even because the world strikes on to different crises.

“I gave my promise to my mates from the kibbutz within the tunnels earlier than I went residence. I instructed them I’ll do every little thing, every little thing I’ve to, to take them out from that hell. And I ask on a regular basis: Am I doing every little thing I can?” mentioned Gritzewsky, 31.

Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 folks and abducting roughly 250, dragging them into Gaza. The assault sparked an Israeli invasion of Gaza. Greater than 45,000 folks have been killed within the ongoing battle, in accordance with native well being authorities, who say greater than half are ladies and youngsters however don’t distinguish between civilians and militants of their rely.

About 100 hostages had been freed in a short truce in November 2023, whereas others have been rescued or their our bodies have been retrieved by the Israeli navy. Round one other 100 haven’t been launched, although Israel believes at the very least a 3rd of them are lifeless.

Within the deal below dialogue, principally ladies and older individuals are anticipated to be freed within the first six-to-eight-week section, however many households of hostages are lobbying for all the hostages to be freed without delay.

Zangauker and Gritzewsky had been kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz, the place they lived collectively, after which held individually in Gaza. Simply earlier than her launch from a tunnel below Gaza, Gritzewsky heard from different hostages that Zangauker was close by. She begged to have the ability to see him however was not allowed.

Two weeks in the past, Hamas launched a video of Zangauker, filmed below duress, the place he described troublesome situations in Gaza and pleaded with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike a deal to finish the battle.

“He spoke quietly, however his eyes had been screaming for assist,” Gritzewsky mentioned of the footage.

Whereas it was a reduction to see Zangauker, the video is not any assure that he’s nonetheless alive at this time, she mentioned. “I don’t desire a photograph. I don’t desire a video. I need him right here. I need all of the hostages right here,” she mentioned.

The video introduced again a few of the worst recollections of her captivity: the nighttime interrogations, the filthy situations, the dearth of medical assist for the accidents she suffered through the kidnapping. Gritzewsky’s pelvis and jaw had been damaged and he or she has burns on her legs. She suffered listening to loss in a single ear.

“What they’re going via is bodily, psychologically, and emotionally torture, day and night time,” mentioned Gritzewsky, carrying a hat that belonged to Zangauker that she rescued from their destroyed residence. “I do know the psychology that they use, the way you don’t have water, the way you don’t have meals, the way you don’t see the sunshine, you don’t know what day or hour it’s.”

Gritzewsky mentioned she hates being in entrance of the cameras, telling her story time and again, reliving the worst days of her life, in a determined try to boost consciousness of the plight of the hostages and convey her boyfriend residence.

Nonetheless, Gritzewsky has been a relentless presence at protests and demonstrations throughout the nation together with Zangauker’s mom, who has emerged as one of the vital vocal activists for the hostages.

Einav Zangauker, who used to help Netanyahu, has virulently opposed his dealing with of the battle and is livid on the authorities for not but reaching a ceasefire deal, accusing it of forsaking the hostages in its bid to topple Hamas.

Netanyahu has mentioned that the battle should proceed till Hamas is crushed and unable to rearm, however critics level out that Israel has already assassinated the highest management and destroyed massive swaths of Gaza.

Einav Zangauker, a single mom, has been relentless in her campaign, attending demonstrations every day, talking repeatedly to each main Israeli media outlet, and even climbing right into a cage that was hoisted excessive above a protest to hammer residence the thought of her son in captivity.

She has demanded that politicians pursue a ceasefire that may launch all of the hostages without delay.

“If my son returns in a physique bag or physique components, I can’t put you on trial, I’ll take the legislation into my very own fingers!” she screamed at lawmakers throughout a parliamentary committee assembly Monday.

Whereas Gritzewsky is not captive in Gaza, she mentioned she will be able to’t start to heal till the hostages, together with her boyfriend, come residence.

“Since Oct. 7, it’s like time stopped,” she mentioned. “You see the world working in entrance of your eyes, however your life is crushed like little items of mud.”

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Observe AP’s battle protection at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war