In a leaked audio recording of a war cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced scathing criticism from former hostages and their relatives for the government's response during their time in captivity under Hamas. The recordings, obtained by Israeli outlet ynet, revealed the detainees' sense of abandonment and dissatisfaction with Israel's intelligence network.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, the freed hostages expressed their frustration and disappointment, shouting "Shame!" and accusing Israel of conducting airstrikes near their location in Gaza. One woman, whose identity was not disclosed, recounted her ordeal, emphasizing that the feeling of being neglected was prevalent among them. She mentioned being in a hiding place that was shelled and being forced to be smuggled out while sustaining injuries. Additionally, she alleged that they were also targeted by a helicopter on their way to Gaza.

Furthermore, the former hostage criticized Israel's intelligence network, claiming that the government had no information about their whereabouts given that their holding place was hit by the Israeli Defense Forces' bombardments. She accused Netanyahu and the government of abandoning the male captives who remain in Gaza, stating that they are enduring suffering similar to that of the women, the majority of whom have been freed.

The woman mentioned her husband's self-harm due to the harsh conditions in Gaza, stating that it was "too much for him." She and other families accused Netanyahu of prioritizing politics over the well-being of the estimated 137 people still held captive in Gaza after the breakdown of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Expressing their concerns about the ongoing airstrikes in Gaza, which have resulted in significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, other former hostages also shared their experiences under Hamas and their fear of being mistaken as casualties caused by Israel.

The former hostages and relatives of those remaining in captivity all emphasized the urgency of the situation, fearing for the lives of those stuck in Gaza as the war continues to escalate. They accused Netanyahu of prioritizing victory in the conflict over the freedom of his people, criticizing his tactics in dealing with Hamas.

In response to the criticism, Netanyahu attempted to assure the group that the government was doing everything possible to locate and release the hostages in Gaza, but stressed that the use of force was necessary. He highlighted that the ground invasion was initiated when negotiations proved futile.

The prime minister reiterated that Hamas broke the temporary cease-fire by failing to release the remaining female captives, as per the agreement brokered with the assistance of the US and Qatar.

Displeased with the meeting, the civilians in attendance expressed their dissatisfaction, noting that their concerns were not adequately addressed and that Netanyahu seemed detached from the conversation.

As the leaked audio exposes the criticisms and frustrations of the freed hostages and their families, it adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and highlights the pressing need to resolve the hostage situation in Gaza. The revelations from the war cabinet meeting shed light on the challenges faced by those held captive and the demands for more effective government intervention.