19-12-2023 (GAZA) The Palestinian militant group Hamas released a video featuring three Israeli elderly hostages, a move condemned by Israel as “heinous and terror-inducing footage.”
According to reports from Reuters, the video depicts the three elderly individuals seated side by side, with one of them stating that there are additional seniors held alongside them. The hostages describe their harsh living conditions and implore the Israeli government to ensure their unconditional release.
The three hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip by Hamas ten weeks ago, following the escalation of tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel has confirmed the identities of the hostages as 79-year-old Chaim Peri, 80-year-old Yoram Metzger, and 84-year-old Amiram Cooper.
An Israeli military spokesperson, Haggai, denounced the release of the video by Hamas, describing it as an act of terror and a criminal behaviour that demonstrates inhuman treatment towards elderly civilians in need of medical care. He issued a direct message to the hostages in the video, asserting that Israel would exert all efforts to secure their rescue. However, Hamas officials reiterated on Monday that they would not engage in personnel exchange negotiations until Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
