Hamas Releases 2nd Video Of Israeli Hostage Pleading For Launch — It Has A Message For Netanyahu

An armed wing of Hamas has launched a video exhibiting an Israeli hostage pleading for his launch. Within the video footage launched, Elkana Bohbot, who was kidnapped from a music competition in southern Israel throughout Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault, might be seen calling on the Israeli authorities to safe his freedom.

The video footage of the hostage was permitted for publication by his household. It marked the second proof-of-life video of Bohbot not too long ago. He’s certainly one of 59 hostages nonetheless held by the terrorist group Hamas. The three-minute video, spoken in Hebrew, is the second hostage footage shared by Hamas in latest days.

Directing his phrases in the direction of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bohbot mentioned within the video, “For the second time, I’m prisoner quantity 22.” “I’m the one who requested to file the video. Hamas didn’t inform me to file the video. This isn’t psychological warfare. The actual psychological battle is me waking up with out seeing my son, with out my spouse,” he mentioned.

Bohbot, 36, labored as a contractor and was a member of the Histadrut for 15 years. He was a part of the manufacturing group on the Nova music competition on October 7, the place he helped deal with and evacuate wounded concertgoers earlier than being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. He and his spouse, Rivka, have a five-year-old son. The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board confirmed Bohbot’s id, stating that he was seen earlier this week in one other video alongside captive Yosef Haim Ohana. 

Within the newly launched video, Bohbot was seen expressing his issues over Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the hazard they pose to the hostages. He appeals to the Israeli authorities for his launch, saying he needs to be reunited along with his spouse and son. Since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 after a brief ceasefire, Hamas has warned that continued navy actions might endanger the lives of the remaining hostages.

Of the 251 people taken captive in the course of the October 7 assault, 58 are nonetheless held in Gaza, with the Israeli navy stating that 34 of them are presumed lifeless. Israel’s renewed navy marketing campaign in Gaza has resulted in important casualties, with almost a dozen folks killed on Saturday alone, based on the area’s civil defence company. 

The hostilities have led to mounting requires a renewed ceasefire settlement. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official, mentioned that ceasefire negotiations have been gaining momentum.

“We hope that the approaching days will carry an actual breakthrough within the battle state of affairs, following intensified communications with and between mediators in latest days,” Naim mentioned in an announcement on Friday.

On Saturday night, 1000’s of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities attain a deal to carry the hostages residence. Among the demonstrators included former hostages and kinfolk of these nonetheless in captivity.

(With IANS Inputs)