By Nour Abu Aisha
GAZA STRIP, Palestine (AA) - The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, announced Saturday that it lost connection with a group responsible for four Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip since 2014.
The announcement came in a video released by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Time is Running Out.
Al-Qassam said in Arabic and Hebrew: “Ten years have passed, do you remember them?”
Following the statement, the images of the four hostages, who were detained 10 years ago, were shown. They are soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, both captured during the summer war of 2014. Israel claims they were killed and Hamas retains their remains.
The other two are civilian hostages, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who entered Gaza under mysterious circumstances in September and December of 2014.
Al-Qassam added: “In 2014, the Netanyahu government neglected your sons and did not prepare for their return. Unfortunately ... communication with the cell has been severed.”
The group directed a message to the families of the Israeli hostages.
“In the past, now, and once again, Netanyahu and his government are not interested in the return of your sons and loved ones. Don't forget ... time is passing and fading,” it said.
As of 1655 GMT, there has been no comment from Israeli authorities about the video.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala