- 2 Israeli hostages in Gaza demand in video Netanyahu find way to secure their release

By Mohammed Majed

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing, released a video Saturday that features two hostages held since Oct. 7, who demanded that the Netanyahu government find a way for their release.

The video includes interviews with Keith Segal, 64, and Omri Miran, 47, who discuss the difficult conditions they have endured under Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip.

It also has statements from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who said, “Continued military pressure alone will lead to the liberation of all hostages.”

The video includes statements from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “The more military pressure increases, the greater our chance of reaching your loved ones.”​​​​​​​

Al-Qassam Brigades said in written sentences in the video: “The military pressure exerted by Israel has resulted in the deaths of dozens of hostages in Gaza, and deprived the rest of celebrating Jewish Passover with their families.”

“Your Nazi leaders do not care about the fate of your captive sons and their feelings. Realize this before it's too late,” it added.

-‘We are in danger here under bombardment’

Segal, from the Kfar Azza settlement near the Gaza Strip, said: “I want to send a message to my family that I love them very much. It's important for you to know that I am okay, and I hope you are too.”

“I have very beautiful memories from last year's Passover that we celebrated together, and I hope we will have the best possible surprise,” he said.

Through tears, he said, “We are in danger here under bombardment, and this is a frightening and terrifying situation we have been living in for a long time. I wonder how long?”

“Sometimes we feel like you have abandoned us. I ask the prime minister and all ministers to be flexible in negotiations.”

He called for “reaching a deal soon because we feel like there is procrastination, and the deal has taken too long.”

“I have seen several demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and I want you all to continue these demonstrations,” he said.

-‘Keep protesting for us!’

Miran, from the Nahal Oz kibbutz near the Gaza Strip) said: “My dear family, I miss you all, my father, my sister, my brother, my wife Shai, and my dear daughters Roni and Alma.”

“This year, we have not been able to celebrate any holiday together because of this cursed war. I hope we can at least celebrate together on the next Independence Day.”

“I have been here in Hamas captivity for over 202 days, living in difficult conditions under heavy bombardment. It is time to reach a deal to get us out of here, and we are alive and well.”

Miran urged his family to “do whatever they can to pressure the government in every possible way, including continuing the protests, so that negotiations lead to a deal now.”

Tel Aviv believes 134 Israelis are being held in Gaza, while Israel is holding 9,000 Palestinians in its jails.

Israel has killed more than 34,300 Palestinians since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas in which less than 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 hostages taken.

A previous deal in November saw the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.

The US, Qatar and Egypt have tried to broker an agreement to release the remaining Israeli captives.

The conflict has pushed 85% of Gaza’s population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.

Global calls for a cease-fire have been growing as the war has entered its seventh month.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in January issued an interim ruling that ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala