The tenure of Gal Hirsch as the government’s hostage pointman has ended without a replacement being appointed, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Thursday in a statement, saying it is working to renew its contractual arrangement with him.

Hirsch began his tenure on October 8, 2023, a day after terrorists took 251 Israelis and foreign nationals captive in the Hamas-led onslaught in southern Israel. The invasion and massacre triggered what was by far Israel’s largest hostage crisis, which did not end for more than two years. Dozens of captives were killed during the onslaught or in captivity in Gaza.

Throughout his service, Hirsch faced sharp criticism from former hostages and family members of captives, who criticized his conduct toward them. After he spoke out in early 2025 against public protests for a hostage deal, suggesting that such demonstrations emboldened Hamas, six former hostages and over 70 relatives of hostages called for his resignation.

But now, the circumstances of his departure have raised concerns that the position being left vacant will harm Israel’s ability to advance the release of any Israelis taken hostage, detained, or missing.

Despite Hirsch’s tenure ending on June 6, “the operational and national need for the continued work and responsibilities of the Coordinator for Hostages and the Missing remains unchanged, and its........

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