Hostage Families Advocate Demand for Leadership Accountability

Einav Tsengauker, mother of released hostage Matan Tsengauker and a prominent figure among the families of hostages held by Hamas, has intensified her public calls for accountability regarding the October 7th attacks. Speaking at the "Sukkot of the Failures of 7.10" tent erected in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, Tsengauker directed sharp accusations at the country's leadership and the IDF's top brass.

She asserted that responsibility extends beyond technical details, stating, "For me, there is something more basic here: whoever had their hand on the wheel when our country reached October 7th must, must step down." Tsengauker explicitly included the Prime Minister, the political echelon, and the military leadership in her demand, emphasizing that leadership and policy-setting are key aspects of responsibility.

Tsengauker concluded her remarks with a firm message against any attempts to obscure the events of October 7th: "The 7/10 file is open, the file of silence is broken. We will not allow anyone to rewrite history. Everyone, without exception, must go home."

The special initiative at Hostages Square, running from September 27-29, hosts representatives from Gaza border communities, massacre survivors, bereaved families, and hostage families. Its primary goal is to foster open discussions with the public about the failures, the pain, and the demand for accountability. This action follows Tsengauker's earlier appeal to Prime Minister Netanyahu before Yom Kippur, urging him to face those affected, make eye contact, and ask for forgiveness.