The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant faction has unveiled a video featuring two Israeli hostages, Gadi Moses (79) and Elad Katzir (47), urging the Israeli government to engage in negotiations for their release. The video, released by the group's armed wing, Quds Brigades, on Tuesday, shows the captives separately making appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, war cabinet member Benny Gantz, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.
Moses and Katzir, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, express their desire to be reunited with their families. In the footage, Moses emphasizes the dangers they face in Gaza and implores the government to take all necessary actions for their safe return. Katzir echoes similar sentiments, advocating for an exchange deal with the Islamic Jihad, designated as a terrorist organization by the UK, US, and Australia.
The video's origin and filming location remain uncertain. Moses had been taken alongside his former wife Margalit Moses, who was released during a truce on November 24. Katzir's father, Rami, was killed on October 7, and his mother, Hanna, was abducted and later released as part of a now-collapsed humanitarian truce.
In a related development, on Monday, Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, released a video featuring three Israeli male hostages in captivity in Gaza. While Hamas is the dominant armed group in Gaza, other Palestinian factions like the Quds Brigades were involved in the October 7 attacks and took hostages from Israel.
According to Israeli authorities, approximately 129 people, including foreign nationals, remain captive in Gaza. During the humanitarian pause from November 24 to 30, 86 Israeli hostages and 24 foreign hostages were released.
(With Agency Inputs)
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