Hamas’ military wing released a video on Monday showing three living elderly Israelis among the hostages it has been holding in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attack on Israeli soil.
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In the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades video titled “Don’t let us grow old here,” the three men, bearded, are shown sitting on chairs and one of them sends a message to the Israeli authorities asking them to do what is necessary to obtain their release.
According to Israeli media, the three hostages shown in the video are aged 79 to 84 and are from Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the communities targeted by the unprecedented attack by Hamas commandos. on October 7 in southern Israel.
“This is a video of criminal terror that shows Hamas’ brutality towards elderly and innocent civilians who need medical attention,” responded army spokesperson Daniel Hagari.
The October 7 attack left around 1,140 dead in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on the latest official Israeli figures available. Some 250 people were taken hostage, 129 of whom are still being held in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.
In retaliation, the Israeli authorities promised to destroy Hamas, relentlessly shelling the Gaza Strip since October 7 and carrying out ground operations there since October 27.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, 19,453 people, mostly women, children and adolescents, have been killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the latest toll announced Monday by the Hamas government.