In a heartfelt plea for his release, kidnapped soldier Matan Angrest addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recently discovered video recorded during his captivity in Gaza. The audio from this emotional footage was made public for the first time by Matan's mother, Anat Angrest, during a weekly protest calling for the return of the captives.

Matan Angrest, who was severely wounded and unconscious when he was taken captive on October 7 during the fighting in Gaza, spoke directly to Netanyahu in the video, urging him to negotiate an exchange between Israeli and Palestinian prisoners. "Netanyahu, you must make the exchange between the prisoners in Israel and the prisoners here," he pleaded. "I believe you're capable of it; you just need to want it."

His mother Anat shared the video during the protest, stating, "Netanyahu, I trust you! You can do it, and I hope it will happen as soon as possible." This recording served as a ray of hope for the Angrest family, who had been worried about Matan's condition and had received no news for several months.

Matan Angrest was captured alongside his comrades Itai Chen, Daniel Peretz, and Tomer Leibovitz, who tragically lost their lives during the battle in Gaza. Their bodies were also taken into captivity in Gaza. The Hostages' and Missing Families Forum revealed that Matan was critically injured at the time of his capture.

Anat Angrest had previously mentioned the existence of the video during a rally in July at Hostages' Square. She expressed her disappointment that her son had not been included in the initial negotiations for a prisoner exchange. However, the revelation of the video has now brought renewed hope to the Angrest family, confirming that Matan is alive and fighting to survive.

The case of Matan Angrest has attracted significant public attention, demonstrating the collective concern for his welfare. Even athletes, such as Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko, have shown their support. Gorbenko dedicated a medal to Matan during a recent competition, shedding light on the surreal reality of having a friend and classmate held captive in Gaza.

As Matan Angrest's plea reaches the public eye, hopes remain high that his message will resonate with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the necessary actions will be taken to secure his release and reunite him with his anguished family.