Hamas publishes another video involving hostages. The Prime Minister of Israel said that with this clip the militants were using “cruel psychological propaganda.” According to Israeli authorities, at least 239 hostages, both Israeli and foreign, were taken prisoner by Hamas militants.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahureferring to a video published by Hamas showing female hostages, condemned the militants for conducting “cruel psychological propaganda.”
The recording shows three women sitting next to each other against the wall – one of them makes a statement to Netanyahu in which she accuses the prime minister of Israel failing to protect his compatriots during the Hamas attack, as well as failing to free the hostages.
The woman called for an agreement that would return the hostages to their homes. – You were supposed to free us all. You pledged to free us all. Instead, we suffer your political, security, military and diplomatic defeat,” she said.
Hamas published a video of the hostagesHANNIBAL HANSCHKE/PAP/EPA
In his statement, the Israeli prime minister promised that he would make every effort to bring the hostages home. – Our hearts are with you and the other prisoners. We are doing everything to bring home all prisoners and missing persons, he added.
The father of one of the women said his heart almost stopped when he saw his daughter in the video. He said he was shocked but also relieved to see that she was alive. – To this day, we have not had any confirmed information about her, he told journalists gathered in Tel Aviv.
The man said his daughter was held captive along with five other family members, including her 3-year-old grandchildren.
The short video published by Hamas is the second news to feature hostages – previously, a 21-year-old French-Israeli woman, Mia Schem, was seen in the October 17 clip.
Ground operation in the Gaza Strip and attempts to release prisoners
According to Israeli authorities, at least 239 hostages, both Israeli and foreign, were taken prisoner by Hamas militants during the attack, which killed about 1,400 people.
The presence of hostages in Gaza has complicated Israeli ground operations in the enclave. Four hostages have been freed so far, but efforts to secure additional releases appear to have stalled after the ground operation began, Reuters reported.
Israeli authorities said Monday that their military operating in Gaza also released a detained soldier.
Main photo source: HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/PAP/EPA