Hostage Video Emerges as Fighting Rages in Gaza City
Two of the remaining hostages held by Hamas appeared in a newly released video, highlighting the plight of dozens still in captivity as Israel intensifies its offensive in Gaza.
Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, both 24, are among 48 people still being held in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. Hamas captured 251 hostages during its cross-border attack in October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel. Since then, Gaza’s health authorities say more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, with much of the enclave left in ruins and its people enduring a severe humanitarian crisis.
The latest video, dated August 28, shows an exhausted-looking Gilboa-Dalal speaking for over three minutes while seated in a moving car. He says he is being held in Gaza City and fears being killed amid Israel’s ongoing assault. At one point, Ohel also appears in the footage. Reuters could not verify when the video was filmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month ordered the military to capture Gaza City, calling it Hamas’s last stronghold. Officials say the military now controls about 40% of the city and 75% of Gaza overall. On Friday, the Israeli military bombed a high-rise in western Gaza City, claiming it was used by Hamas. Building managers denied the claim, saying it sheltered displaced civilians.
Video from the scene showed the building collapsing, with smoke drifting into nearby tent camps. Gaza’s health ministry reported 30 deaths across the territory on Friday, including 20 in Gaza City. Residents described heavy shelling and explosions. “We pray for a ceasefire,” said Ismail, a father of two from the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.
The video of Gilboa-Dalal is the second time he has been shown in captivity. In February, he appeared in another clip under what freed hostages later said were dictated conditions. Israeli leaders have condemned such videos as “psychological warfare.” Netanyahu dismissed the latest footage as “cruel propaganda.”
Meanwhile, pressure is growing inside Israel. Tens of thousands continue weekly protests demanding a deal to free the hostages, with hundreds gathering in Tel Aviv on Friday to mark 700 days since their capture. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged negotiators to restart talks.
Previous hostage releases came through U.S.- and Arab-mediated negotiations, but talks collapsed in July. Hamas has indicated willingness to release hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, while Netanyahu insists on a complete deal: all hostages freed and Hamas disarmed. Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed on Friday that military operations would escalate until those conditions are met.
Far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for Israel to fully occupy Gaza, but military officials have warned such moves could endanger hostages. Families fear the captives’ lives are at risk as fighting pushes deeper into Gaza City.
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