The Palestinian Islamist group "Hamas“ released a new video showing two Israeli hostages captured in the attack on southern Israel on October 7, who are currently being held in the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
The footage was filmed in a manner that resembles previous videos of Israeli hostages released by "Hamas”. Israel condemned these videos as psychological terrorism.
The video released today shows the two men, identified as 64-year-old Keith Siegel and 47-year-old Omri Miran. They speak individually, sending greetings to their families and asking to be released.
Miran was taken hostage from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz in front of his wife and two daughters during the bloody attack by "Hamas” on October 7, which triggered the war in Gaza.
Siegel, who holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, was abducted from another border settlement along with his wife, who was freed during the brief ceasefire in November.
The video with the two hostages was published during the Passover holiday, when Jews traditionally celebrate the biblical story of liberation from slavery in Egypt, Reuters notes. At one point, Siegel breaks down in tears as he recounts celebrating Passover with his family last year and hopes they will be reunited.
About 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage by "Hamas” in the October 7 attack. According to Israeli figures, 1,200 people were killed, making this the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
In response, Israel launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip, vowing to destroy "Hamas” and return the hostages home. According to data from the health authorities in the "Hamas“ Gaza Strip since then, the Israeli army has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, Reuters recalls.