On Saturday April 27th, 2024, Hamas’s military wing Al Qassam Bridges has released a video of two Israeli hostages held in Gaza demanding their government to ink an agreement with the resistance to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners, warning of the repercussions of the Israeli relentless bombing of Gaza on their lives.
In the video, Al Qassam said Israel’s military pressure has claimed the lives of dozens of Israeli hostages in their hands and prevented the rest from celebrating the Passover with their loved ones.
One of the hostages called on Netanyahu’s government to be flexible in the negotiations so that a deal can be inked soon, saying, “We are living in difficult conditions under violent bombardment”, adding, “Sometimes we feel like you have abandoned us.”
Another one directed his speech to Israelis protesting against Netanyahu, telling them: “I hope that you will continue the demonstrations in order to present real negotiations that lead to a deal”.
Hostages’ Families Response
Immediately following the footages, thousands of Israelis demonstrate outside the ‘Ministry of Defense’ in Tel Aviv demanding Netanyahu to make a prisoner swap deal.
Kan Hebrew Channel reported that hundreds took to the streets chanting “elections now” and demanding a prisoners’ swap.
The families of Israeli captives in Gaza, in response to Al-Qasaam footage, said that ‘Israel’ must choose either the ground invasion of Rafah or a deal with Hamas, noting that “the war must, a price has to be paid, and entering Rafah is an additional sacrifices”. The families refuse any possibility of an Israeli invasion of Rafah as it will kill the rest of their relatives.
They also added that military pressure on Hamas has failed, and the government’s approach must be changed, accusing their leader of turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the hostages’ demands.
Leaders Want A Deal
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid also stressed that if the choice is between stopping the fighting in Gaza or making a deal, he urge leaders must reach a deal.
Israeli Foreign Minister:” If we reach a prisoner exchange deal, we will stop the Rafah operation.”
Former Economy Minister, Orna Barbivai: “I hope Netanyahu’s government sees the signs of life displayed by Hamas this evening as an opportunity to take the necessary steps. We are tired of hearing that these pressures are merely a bluff from Hamas. The most important thing for the Israeli society is to return the hostages to their homes now.”
Former Welfare Minister, current Knesset member Meir Cohen said Hamas has released a video showing the captives Keith Sigaal and Omeri Miran; we must return them and all captives alive to their homes and families as soon as possible. Time is running out, let’s act before it’s too late.
Former Meretz party leader, Zehava Gal-On added that the most important thing is the return of the captives, not Rafah, not complete victory – the most important thing is human life.
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