In a move that’s stirred deep anger and unease, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Maj. Gen. David Zini as his choice to lead the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency. The decision, made late Thursday, has ignited a firestorm, especially among families of hostages still held in Gaza. Reports surfaced Saturday night that Zini, a career military officer, sharply criticized former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi for prioritizing the return of hostages over defeating Hamas. “You prioritize the return of the hostages over destroying Hamas,” Zini reportedly told Halevi during a heated security briefing months ago, a comment that’s left families like Einav Zangauker’s feeling betrayed. Her son, Matan, is among the 59 captives still in Gaza, and she’s furious, saying Zini’s stance favors “an eternal political war” over her son’s life.

Zini’s words, first reported by Channel 12, came during a tense meeting at the IDF’s Southern Command, where he clashed loudly with Halevi. Sources who were there described a confrontation that laid bare a divide in Israel’s security circles: those who see crushing Hamas as the ultimate goal versus those who believe saving hostages comes first. Zini, according to military insiders, has repeatedly voiced opposition to hostage deals, reportedly telling colleagues, “I’m against hostage deals. This is an eternal war.” For families like the Zangaukers, these words are a gut punch. “I’m ashamed of him,” Natali Zangauker, Matan’s sister, said, her voice heavy with pain. “I’m not counting on you to bring my brother back.” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called Zini’s remarks “horrifying and contemptible,” arguing that appointing someone who downplays the hostages’ plight undermines Israel’s duty to leave no one behind.

Netanyahu’s choice of Zini is already mired in controversy, not just for his views but for how the appointment was made. The High Court ruled Wednesday that Netanyahu has a conflict of interest in firing the current Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, because the agency is investigating his close aides for alleged ties to Qatar. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara barred Netanyahu from naming a new chief until the legal implications are clear, but he announced Zini anyway, prompting accusations of defiance. Zini, who lacks a background in intelligence, also raised eyebrows for bypassing protocol, discussing the role with Netanyahu without informing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Former IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot urged Zini to reject the post, citing his own refusal of a similar offer in 2011 due to inexperience.

The backdrop is Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Bar, who took responsibility for failing to prevent the attack, helped secure the release of dozens of captives before a ceasefire collapsed in March. His ouster, set for June 15 unless the High Court intervenes, has fueled protests, with thousands rallying against Netanyahu’s moves to fire security chiefs like Bar and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Critics, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, accuse Netanyahu of dodging accountability for October 7 while targeting those investigating his inner circle. “He’s dismantling us from within,” said Benny Gantz, another opposition figure, echoing the families’ fears that Zini’s appointment signals a shift away from prioritizing hostages.

For families like Einav’s, the fight is personal. Her son Matan, held for over 600 days, is reportedly suffering from severe health issues, including muscular atrophy. “Every day feels like a lifetime,” she said, her voice breaking as she described protesting in Tel Aviv, holding signs demanding a deal. The families’ outrage is palpable—they see Zini’s reported stance as a betrayal of the solidarity that’s supposed to define Israel. “This is about human lives,” said one protester, whose cousin is among the captives. As Netanyahu pushes forward with Zini, defying court orders and public outcry, the divide deepens between those who want the war to end with the hostages home and those who see no end to the fight. For now, the families wait, holding onto hope and anger in equal measure, praying their loved ones aren’t forgotten.