Hamas Unveils Video of Israeli Captive, Emphasizes End of Gaza Conflict as Essential for Truce
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Gaza, Dec 8 (NationPress) The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, has released a new video showcasing an Israeli hostage alive in Gaza, who is urging for a prisoner exchange agreement.
I have been held captive by Hamas for more than 420 days... In a message directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the hostage, Matan Zangauker, stated, “I learned about your recent initiative to secure our release, offering $5 million to anyone who can guarantee our safe return and departure from Gaza.”
The Israeli government has ignored us and continues to do so each day. I wish you would make every possible effort to alter the circumstances and bring me and the other captives back alive, healthy, and safe,” Zangauker expressed.
His mother, Einav Zangauker, is a prominent advocate for the hostages' release, actively pressuring the Israeli government to expedite a deal with Hamas, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
Following the video’s release, Einav Zangauker addressed a rally in Tel Aviv, emphasizing to Netanyahu, “The fact that Matan is alive today does not guarantee his survival through the winter or under ongoing military pressure. The sole avenue to secure Matan's return, along with others, is through a deal, even if it means concluding the war.”
On the same day, Hamas issued a statement asserting that ending the war and Israeli 'aggression' is fundamental to any agreement in Gaza.
This declaration followed a meeting in Doha between Mohammad Darwish, the chairman of Hamas's Shura Council, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Darwish indicated that Hamas is receptive to mediation proposals, provided they prioritize the welfare of the Palestinian people and strive to alleviate their suffering, urging an increase in support for Gaza’s residents and countering Israel’s 'malicious plans' involving killings, blockades, and starvation in the region.
Darwish also referenced the outcomes from recent meetings in Cairo between representatives of Hamas and Fatah, held under Egyptian sponsorship. On Thursday, Hamas announced its endorsement of the Egyptian proposal to establish a joint committee with Fatah to manage the post-war Gaza Strip.
In Hamas's Saturday statement, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's dedication to the Palestinian cause and stressed efforts to bolster the resilience of the Palestinian people through all available means and platforms.
Israel has been conducting a comprehensive offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas assault through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 individuals taken hostage.
The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli assaults in Gaza has escalated to 44,664, as reported by health authorities in Gaza on Saturday.
