Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed shock on Tuesday that the fate of hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza has faded from public attention, days after criticizing the government’s war strategy.
“I am deeply troubled by how the issue of the hostages is no longer at the top of the priority list or dominating the headlines—how can this be?” Herzog said during a speech at Tel Aviv University’s Defense Ministry Rehabilitation Department conference.
“We must not, as a nation or as a government, lose sight of our obligation to bring every last hostage home. This remains a national mission,” he emphasized.
Hamas militants abducted 251 people during their October 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,218 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The assault triggered a devastating war in Gaza.
Of those taken hostage, 58 remain in captivity—34 of whom the Israeli military has declared dead. A near two-month ceasefire earlier this year led to the release of 33 hostages, including eight who were already deceased.
Fighting resumed on March 18 with Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 792 additional deaths, bringing the total Palestinian death toll to 50,144.
Herzog’s remarks follow his Thursday statement expressing concern over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government policies. “Resuming hostilities without exhausting every avenue to recover our hostages is unconscionable,” said Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial.
Thousands of Israelis have staged daily protests in Jerusalem, condemning the government’s decision to return to war—a move many believe abandons the remaining hostages. Activists have also rallied against the dismissals of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, as well as the renewed push for the contentious judicial overhaul.
Herzog further criticized gaps in legal support for freed hostages and their families. The government is drafting legislation to expand benefits for those taken captive on October 7, 2023, and later released.
Despite sustained public pressure for a deal to free the remaining hostages, political turmoil and internal disputes have overshadowed the crisis in recent weeks.