Tel Aviv [Israel], October 30 (ANI): Terrorist group Hamas on Monday released a video in which three women kidnapped by the terrorist group are purportedly seen appealing to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire as it would facilitate their release from Hamas captivity, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The video, released on Hamas‘s social networks, was described as “a number of Zionist prisoners held by Al-Qassam send a message to Netanyahu and the Zionist government”. The women in the video are seen accusing PM Netanyahu of failing to act on October 7 to stop the Hamas massacre and was now failing to rescue hostages by enacting a ceasefire.
The women were identified as Yelena Tropanov, Danielle Aloni, and Rimon Kirscht. Tropanov was kidnapped on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her mother, her son, and her son’s girlfriend. Her husband was murdered. Kirsht was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nirim with her husband while Aloni was taken from Nir Oz with her daughter, sister, brother-in-law, and her two twin nieces.
In the video, a woman sitting in the middle, purportedly says, “Hello, Bibi Netanyahu. We have been in Hamas captivity for 23 days. Yesterday, there was a press conference with the families of the hostages. We know that there was supposed to be a ceasefire. You were supposed to release all of us. You made a commitment to release all of us.” She accused the prime minister of “political and national neglect” and of “screwing up” on October 7, as per The Jerusalem Post.
The hostage says: “No military was there. Nobody came. Nobody heard us. We are innocent citizens. Citizens who pay taxes to the State of Israel. You want to kill us all. You want to kill us all using the IDF.” “It isn’t enough that Israeli citizens were killed. Let us go. Let us go now… Let us return to our families now!” she continues.
Netanyahu responded to the video, releasing a statement in which he addressed the women by their names. “This is a cruel psychological manipulation by Hamas and ISIS,” he said, adding, “We embrace the families. We are doing everything to bring all the captives and missing individuals back home.”
The video was released against the backdrop of repeated calls by Hamas for a ceasefire after its Health Ministry said more than 8,000 Gazans have been killed in Israeli strikes. A senior Hamas official told NBC News last week that the terrorist group would be willing to release all civilian hostages “in one hour” if the IDF would cease attacks against Hamas in the Gaza Strip and if all Palestinians detained by Israel were released, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Over the weekend, Israel upped its offensive, entering the Strip with tanks and carrying out attacks by land as well. In the initial days of the Israel–Hamas war, the terrorist group released a video of a young woman, Mia Schem, who was also captured by Hamas.
At the beginning of the video, she is purportedly seen receiving medical treatment, and afterwards, she is filmed speaking directly to the camera, claiming, “I was severely injured in the hand, they took me to Gaza and treated me for three hours. They are taking care of me, treating me well, and giving me medications; everything is okay.”
“I request that you bring me back home as soon as possible, to my parents, to my siblings. Please get us out of here as quickly as possible,” she said. The veracity of the video could not be ascertained. So far, Hamas has released four hostages — two American-Israeli citizens and two elderly Israeli women. (ANI)
Soldier captured by Hamas rescued during ground operation: Israel Defence Forces
Tel Aviv [Israel], October 31 (ANI): The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday said that a soldier captured by the Hamas terror group has been rescued during ground operations and she is now with her family. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has congratulated the IDF and Shin Bet for this “important achievement” and stressed that the release of the soldier showcases their commitment to the release of all the abductees.
According to IDF, Pvt Ori Megidish was abducted by Hamas on October 7. Taking to X, IDF stated, “She is home. PVT Megidish was abducted by Hamas on October 7. Tonight, she was released during ground operations. Ori is now home with her family.”
Netanyahu called terrorists of Hamas “monsters” and stated that Israel would continue to hunt them down. He hailed the Shin Bet security agency and IDF for rescuing the soldier captured by Hamas.
Taking to X, Netanyahu said, “Last night our forces freed the female soldier Pvt Uri Magidish from Hamas captivity. Ori was kidnapped on the black morning of October 7. Welcome home, Uri. I congratulate the Shin Bet and the IDF for this important and exciting achievement, an achievement that expresses our commitment to the release of all the abductees.”
“The entire nation of Israel salutes the Shin Bet and salutes the IDF. And to the terrorists of Hamas and ISIS, I say – you are monsters. We will continue to pursue you, we will continue to hunt you down. We will cripple you until you fall at our feet,” he added. Israel‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen has praised Israel‘s Defence Forces and the Shin Bet security agency for the safe rescue of Pvt Ori Megidish.
In a post shared on X, Cohen stated, “Blessed is the forbidden! Kudos to the IDF and the Shin Bet for the safe rescue of soldier Uri Magidish. Good news for all the people of Israel. We will continue to work for the release of all the abductees!”
On Sunday, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that the military has so far notified the families of 239 hostages that their loved ones are being held in the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported. He said that the number is not final as the military continues to carry out investigations on new information.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is making “systematic progress” in its military campaign against Hamas. He made the remarks at the start of the war cabinet meeting, The Times of Israel reported.
He said that the IDF “has expanded its ground entry into the Gaza Strip. It is doing it in measured, very powerful steps, making systematic progress one step at a time,” according to The Times of Israel report. Israel Air Forces said that IDF forces have been continuing their ground operations in the Gaza Strip for the past few hours.
Taking to X, Israel Air Forces said, “IDF forces have been continuing their ground operations in the Gaza Strip for the past few hours. IDF fighters with the help of combat helicopters and remote manned aircraft, directed by the forces, eliminated terrorist squads that tried to attack the forces.” (ANI)
