Hamas releases video of two Israeli hostages pleading to end Gaza war

A new video released by Hamas’s armed wing on Saturday shows two Israeli hostages, Elkana Bohbot and Yosef Haim Ohana, alive in Gaza. The undated footage is the latest in a series of videos released since the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in March. Bohbot, a 36-year-old Colombian-Israeli, appears weak and injured, lying on the floor wrapped in a blanket. He was seen previously in Hamas footage from the day of the October 7, 2023, attack, bound and with visible injuries to his face. Ohana, 24, speaks in Hebrew in the latest video, appealing to the Israeli government to end the war and work toward releasing all remaining captives. His message closely resembles those made by other hostages in past videos, which Israeli officials believe were likely recorded under pressure. Both men were abducted during the October 7 music festival attack, where Hamas militants stormed Israeli territory, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians. According to Israeli authorities, at least 58 hostages are still being held in Gaza, including 34 who are believed to be dead. Hamas also reportedly holds the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 conflict.Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials, including three children and their parents who died when their tent was hit in Gaza City.