Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, said he believed his brother would not return alive from Gaza in a Tuesday speech at the Knesset Constitution Committee.
“My brother is on the list of the 33 kidnapped people who are supposed to return. He is probably not alive. He is probably among the eight deceased hostages set to return in the deal.”
Elgarat urged prioritizing the living in any potential deal: “Leave the bodies there; bring back living people. My brother is there as a fallen soldier, and I am saying on my behalf that I am willing to leave him there for now if it means bringing back someone alive.”
His remarks drew opposition from Hannah Cohen, the aunt of Inbar Heyman, whose body is also being held captive. She objected, saying, “Don’t say things like that. We need to bring back the bodies as well. You can speak for yourself.”
The emotionally charged exchange prompted the committee to adjourn for a break.
Elgarat continued after the session resumed, highlighting missed opportunities to save lives: “When Hamas offered in November to return elderly people, my brother was alive and could have been brought back. But the decision was made not to accept the elderly in that round, and they all died,” he said, referring to the November 2023 hostage deal.
“It was the same story in the May deal. There was a list – my brother was on it, alive. He was sacrificed on the altar of the Philadelphi Corridor, which we are now evacuating. Back then, it was considered our rock of existence. We warned and pleaded, ‘Don’t do this.’ Who will be held accountable for the directive to exert military pressure?”
Abducted on October 7
Itzik, aged 69, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists on October 7. There are still 29 hostages from Nir Oz who remain in captivity.
Itzhak Elgarat called his younger brother, Danny, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on October 7, telling him that his hand had been badly injured as he rushed to close the door to the safe room.On the other end of the line, Danny could hear gunfire and soon his brother shouting, “‘Danny, it’s over. Danny, it’s over,’ and the call went dead,” he described.
Around an hour later, Danny Elgarat was able to track his brother’s phone to a location in Gaza.