URGENT UPDATE: Hamas has just released a video featuring two Israeli hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, captured during an October 2023 music festival. In the footage, Gilboa-Dalal states he is being held in Gaza City, where the Israeli military is executing a major offensive to dismantle Hamas.
This video release comes amid escalating tensions, with the Israeli military announcing it controls approximately 40 percent of Gaza City, a significant stronghold for Hamas. The military’s actions follow a devastating cross-border attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in southern Israel and left 251 hostages in captivity, with estimates suggesting that only 20 remain alive.
In the video dated August 28, 2023, Gilboa-Dalal, visibly exhausted, expresses fears for his life as Israeli airstrikes intensify around him. He indicates multiple hostages are with him, raising alarm over their safety amid ongoing military operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to capture Gaza City’s urban core, labeling it the last bastion of Hamas.
As the violence escalates, more than 64,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the Gaza Strip, with residents facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military recently bombed the Mushtaha tower in Rimal, claiming it was being used by Hamas for surveillance. However, local reports indicate the building was sheltering displaced civilians, raising concerns over military transparency and the impact on innocent lives.
The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for 30 Palestinian deaths in just one day, including 20 in Gaza City alone, as it continues to push into the city’s outskirts. Eyewitness accounts from residents like Ismail, a father from Sheikh Radwan, depict catastrophic destruction and relentless bombardment, leaving families torn between fleeing or remaining amid the chaos.
The video release has drawn condemnation from Human Rights Watch, which calls such acts by Hamas inhumane and a potential war crime. Israeli officials are labeling the footage as psychological warfare, further complicating the already tense situation.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the world watches closely. The international community is urged to advocate for a ceasefire to protect innocent lives and facilitate humanitarian aid. As the situation develops, updates will follow.
