Hamas Hostage Video Emerges as Israel Steps Up Gaza City Offensive
Hamas has released a hostage video showing two Israeli captives, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as it pushes deeper into Gaza City. The Hamas hostage video, dated 28 August, features Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, both seized during Hamas’s cross-border assault on 7 October 2023. Families and international leaders have condemned previous hostage clips from Gaza as propaganda.
Hamas Hostage Video Shows Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel
The footage shows Gilboa-Dalal seated in a car in Gaza City, saying he and eight others are being held despite Israel’s planned ground offensive. Ohel appears for the first time since his abduction from the Nova music festival nearly 700 days ago. Gilboa-Dalal was previously seen in a Hamas video in February.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded by urging a full occupation of Gaza, claiming it was the only way to “bring back the hostages in security.”
48 Israeli Hostages Still in Gaza
According to Israeli officials, 48 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with about 20 believed to be alive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken “at length” with the parents of both men after the new Hamas hostage video surfaced, reiterating that the war could end “immediately” if Hamas accepted Israel’s conditions — chiefly, the release of all hostages.
“No evil propaganda video will weaken us or divert us from our determination to achieve these goals,” his office said.
However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing relatives of the captives, urged the government to “immediately” return to negotiations. “Those who genuinely want the hostages home should advance the agreement that is waiting for the Israeli government’s discussion and response,” the group wrote on X. It also held a rally in Tel Aviv’s “Hostages Square” on Friday to mark 700 days since the October attack.
Hamas Ceasefire Proposal Still on the Table
In August, Hamas said it had accepted a Qatari- and Egyptian-brokered plan for a 60-day truce, under which it would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 dead captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israel has not responded to the plan, insisting that all hostages must be freed at once.
Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that Israeli military activity would “intensify” until Hamas accepted Israel’s conditions, threatening that the armed group would be “destroyed” otherwise. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called for negotiators to resume talks on a ceasefire deal to free the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Gaza City Offensive Intensifies
Meanwhile, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reported that 30 Palestinians were killed in the territory in the past 24 hours, including 20 in Gaza City. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it struck a tower block there, claiming it was being used by Hamas and that “advance warnings” were issued to minimise civilian harm.
The IDF said it had identified “significant Hamas terrorist activity within a wide variety of infrastructure sites in Gaza City, and particularly in high-rise buildings,” adding it would continue to target such sites “in the coming days.”
Netanyahu announced plans last month to take control of Gaza City after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down in July. Israel says its offensive has established control of some 40% of the city, which it describes as a Hamas stronghold.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The UN and humanitarian agencies warn the Gaza City offensive is having “horrific humanitarian consequences” for the million residents still sheltering there, where famine was confirmed last month. Satellite imagery shows several neighbourhoods have been levelled by Israeli strikes in recent weeks.
Gaza’s health ministry says at least 64,300 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023, with 376 deaths attributed to malnutrition and starvation, including three in the past 24 hours.
Background to the Gaza War
Israel launched its military campaign in response to Hamas’s 7 October attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza. Although dozens have since been released, Israel continues to insist on the return of all captives before agreeing to any ceasefire.
Growing Calls for Negotiations
As international pressure mounts, hostage families and opposition figures in Israel are urging a shift in policy. Analysts say the new Hamas hostage video may increase domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s government, which faces accusations of failing to secure the hostages’ release.
Human rights groups and UN officials also warn that the continued siege of Gaza City risks exacerbating the humanitarian disaster and undermining prospects for a negotiated settlement.