The two men, identified as Keith Siegel and Omri Miran, send their love to their families and ask to be released in the video.
Hamas’ military wing published a video of two Israeli prisoners held in Gaza, showing footage of them calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to reach a deal to secure their release.
The video released on Saturday is filmed in a similar way to previous videos of captives released by the group, which Israel has condemned as “psychological terrorism.”
The two men, identified as Keith Siegel, 64, and Omri Miran, 47, speak individually in front of an empty background. They send their regards to their families and ask to be released.
Miran was taken captive from his home in the community of Nahal Oz in front of his wife and two daughters during the Hamas attack on October 7.
“I have been here in Hamas captivity for 202 days. The situation here is unpleasant, difficult and there are many bombs,” Miran is heard saying in the footage, indicating that it was taken earlier this week.
“It’s time to reach an agreement that gets us out of here safe and healthy… Keep protesting so there can be an agreement now.”
Saturday’s video comes as Hamas says it is studying Israel’s latest counterproposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, following reports that mediator Egypt sent a delegation to Israel to begin stalled negotiations.
The video was published during the Passover holiday, when Jews traditionally celebrate the biblical story of liberation from slavery in Egypt.
At one point, Siegel breaks down in tears as he recounts celebrating the holiday with his family last year and expresses hope that they will be reunited.
“We are in danger here, there are bombs, it is stressful and scary,” he said, burying his face in his arms as he cried.
“I want to tell my family that I love you so much. It’s important to me that you know I’m okay.”
The latest video comes just three days after Hamas released another video showing prisoner Hersh Goldberg-Polin alive.
About 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken prisoner during the Hamas attack, which killed 1,139 people, according to Israeli records.
In response, Israel launched an attack on Gaza, pledging to destroy Hamas and bring the captives home. The war has killed at least 34,388 Palestinians.
The Israeli military said 129 of the captives were still being held in Gaza, including the bodies of 34 people who died in captivity.
Reporting from Tel Aviv, Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith said the captives’ families and friends were relieved to see evidence that they were alive.
“They said ‘time is running out. We need our prime minister [Benjamin Natanyahu] accept any deal quickly,’” he said.
Smith was speaking from a protest against Netanyahu.
“These protests call for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign. They call for an end to the war and the release of the hostages,” he said.
“Many of the protesters here say that Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging this war in Gaza because it saves him from the final reckoning at the polls.”
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
