Hamas has launched a brand new video that seems to point out two hostages who’ve been held in Gaza because the 7 October assault on southern Israel.
The 2 males, Keith Siegel, 64, and Omri Miran, 47, converse within the video in opposition to an empty background, sending their like to relations and asking to be launched.
The video was launched through the Passover vacation, when Jews have fun the biblical story of gaining freedom from slavery in Egypt.
Sky Information has determined to not present the video on-line.
Within the footage, Mr Siegel breaks down in tears as he remembers spending final yr’s Passover along with his household, saying he hoped they might be reunited.
Mr Miran was taken from his residence in Nahal Oz in entrance of his spouse and two daughters, whereas Siegel, who’s a twin US citizen, was kidnapped along with his spouse, though she was launched through the transient truce in November.
Keith Siegel
Omri Miran
Some 250 Israelis and foreigners had been taken hostage through the 7 October Hamas assault, which killed round 1,200 folks.
It prompted Israel’s assault on Gaza, because it pledged to destroy Hamas and convey the hostages residence.
Some 34,000 Palestinians have been killed within the battle up to now, in line with the Hamas-run Gaza well being ministry.
Additionally on Saturday, Hamas stated it was reviewing a brand new Israeli ceasefire proposal.
Hamas senior official Khalil al Hayya didn’t share particulars of Israel’s supply however stated it was in response to a Hamas proposal made two weeks in the past.
This included a six-week ceasefire, launch of 40 civilian and sick hostages, in change for the discharge of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Israel’s international minister stated on Saturday that the nation’s deliberate incursion into the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah might be placed on maintain if a deal is struck to safe the discharge of Israeli hostages.
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The hostage scenario is placing strain on Israeli chief Benjamin Netanyahu. Pic: Reuters
The prospect of an assault on Rafah has prompted concern from numerous international locations, together with Israel’s staunchest ally, the US.
In the meantime, Egypt additionally ramped up its efforts to dealer a deal that would finish the conflict.
An Egyptian delegation left Israel on Saturday after talks there a couple of “new imaginative and prescient” for a ceasefire in Gaza.
This would come with the discharge of some hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the return of many displaced Palestinians to their properties in northern Gaza with “minimal restrictions”, in line with an Egyptian official.
Hamas nonetheless desires a everlasting ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops however Israel has rejected each of those, saying it’s going to proceed army operations till Hamas is defeated and it’ll keep a safety presence in Gaza.
It got here as protests continued world wide calling for an finish to the battle, together with pro-Palestinian demonstrations in London and at universities throughout the US.
