The Palestinian terrorist group Hamas released a video this Saturday showing two hostages – identified as Keith Siegel64 years old, and Omri Miran, 47- who remain kidnapped in the Gaza Strip. According to the militia, the message was filmed two days ago.
The Israeli Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing Persons confirmed that these two men were kidnapped during the deadly Hamas incursion into southern Israel on October 7. And he considered that the disclosure of this proof of life should prompt Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to increase its efforts to free all the hostages. “The living must return for recovery and the murdered must receive a dignified burial,” he noted.
In the October 7 attack, Palestinian Islamist commandos kidnapped about 250 people, about a hundred of whom were freed during a week-long truce in late November. Israel estimates that 129 remained in Gaza, 34 of whom have since died.
According to reports, Siegel was kidnapped from his home in Kfar Aza along with his partner Aviva, who was freed during a ceasefire in November; and Miran was kidnapped in Nahal Oz in front of his family.
The international community, including the US government, has renewed its calls for the release of all hostages. President Joe Bidenin a public commitment this Saturday, assured: “I will not rest until every hostage… is back in the arms of their loved ones. You have my word.”
The hostages appear to express themselves under duress in the video. Keith Siegel appears crying, and although it is not possible to know if the recording is recent, the American mentions Passover, in reference to the current Jewish Passover that is celebrated these days in Israel, while Miran says he has been captive for 202 days.
“The situation here is not pleasant. It’s hard. There are many bombings. Sometimes we have the feeling that it is getting worse. I ask the prime minister and the entire government to participate in the negotiations,” declared the American-Israeli Siegel in the video.
Furthermore, both called for “doing everything possible and putting pressure on and continuing the protests” to force an agreement between Israel and Hamas. “I have seen the demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem several times,” Siegel added.
“The situation is unpleasant, difficult and there are many bombs,” Miran said, which would indicate that the images were taken earlier this week. “It’s time to reach an agreement that gets us out of here safe and sound… Keep protesting, so that there is an agreement now,” he added.
The Israeli authorities have systematically condemned the publication of these types of videos, which they consider a tool of psychological warfare used by Hamas.
Last morning Hamas confirmed having received a final truce proposal for the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and assured that it will study it, although from the beginning it has rejected any offer that does not include a definitive ceasefire in Gaza or withdrawal. of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave.
(With information from EFE)
