Israel dismissed a video released by Hamas featuring two hostage brothers as “propaganda.” In the footage, one brother urges family and friends to protest for the hostages’ return, stressing the emotional toll of separation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Hamas is using the hostages for “psychological warfare” and that this will not deter Israel’s efforts to secure their release. As the ceasefire period ended, there are still 59 hostages in Gaza, with negotiations for an extension ongoing. Hamas claims they are prepared to release all hostages in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Israel dismissed a video released by the Palestinian Hamas group, labeling it as “propaganda” despite its depiction of an emotional moment between two brothers held hostage. In the video, Hamas claimed that “time is running out” and emphasized that only a ceasefire agreement could secure the hostages’ return. However, Israel remained resolute in its stance.
A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the hostages are being utilized for “psychological warfare,” asserting that the government would not be swayed by such methods.
“The Hamas terrorist organization has, this evening, disseminated another cruel propaganda video in which our hostages are compelled to engage in psychological warfare. Israel will not be swayed by Hamas propaganda. We will continue to act relentlessly for the return of all our hostages and until all goals of the war are accomplished,” declared the Prime Minister’s Office.
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The three-minute video featured Israeli Argentinian brothers, Yair Horn and Eitan Horn, saying farewell shortly before Yair was released on February 15. Another released hostage, Sagui Dekel-Chen, along with two others whose faces were blurred, was also present in the footage.
In the video, Eitan urged his family and friends to persist in their protests and “do everything” necessary to bring back the hostages.
“It’s illogical to separate families. Don’t ruin our lives. Tell my mother, my father, and everyone to keep demonstrating and don’t stop until this government agrees to the second phase of the deal and brings us home,” Eitan pleaded.
Yair, now back in Israel, stated that if the government possesses “a heart, a little conscience,” it should finalize the deal. “Sign the second and third stages. Enough of war, enough death, enough destruction of others’ lives. Enough… enough… enough,” his brother emphasized.
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The footage was released by Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, just as the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire was approaching expiration yesterday.
There is currently no clarity on whether the ceasefire will be extended, but Israel has endorsed a U.S. proposal to lengthen the deal to include Ramadan and Passover. At least 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. Israel has indicated that an extension could allow for the release of half of the Israeli hostages on the day the agreement takes effect.
Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire have yet to yield results, despite mediators having discussions in Cairo last week.
Hamas previously deemed an Israeli proposal to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire as “unacceptable,” but a senior official told AFP that Hamas is prepared to release all the hostages simultaneously during the second phase.