Hamas releases additional videos confirming the safety of US and Israeli hostages

Hamas Releases Proof of Life Videos for Two More Hostages, Urging Negotiations with Israel

Hamas has released propaganda videos providing proof of life for two more hostages, American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli captive Omri Miran, who were captured during the attacks on 7 October in Gaza.

In the videos, Mr. Siegel and Mr. Miran are seen making pleas for their release, with Mr. Siegel urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate with Hamas for a hostage release deal. Mr. Miran, who has been in captivity for 202 days, also appeals for help in the video filmed this week on Thursday.

Both men, visibly under duress, express their longing to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover, which ends on Tuesday. The authenticity and location of the videos have not been verified by independent sources.

Mr. Siegel, a US citizen, was kidnapped alongside his wife from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Mr. Miran was taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Mr. Siegel’s wife, who was also captured, was released in November during a brief truce.

The families of the hostages seen in the videos have vowed to continue fighting for their safe return and have urged the Israeli government to secure a new hostage release deal.

In emotional video statements, Mr. Siegel’s wife and daughters expressed their love and determination to bring him back home. They called on Israeli leaders to take action and negotiate for the release of all captives held by Hamas.

This latest release of hostage videos follows a similar one earlier in the week featuring Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was shown alive but with an amputated left arm. Mr. Goldberg-Polin was injured during the 7 October attacks and has been held captive since then.

The families of the hostages have criticized the Israeli government for not doing enough to secure their release, with around 100 hostages still believed to be in captivity. Many hostages were released in November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The ongoing hostage situation has put pressure on the Israeli government to take action and negotiate with Hamas for the safe return of all captives. The families of the hostages are pleading for swift action to bring their loved ones back home.