Speculation That Stalled Ceasefire Talks Are Being Used as Pressure
Growing Calls for Ceasefire Within Israel
On May 10 (local time), the Palestinian militant group Hamas released a video featuring two Israeli male hostages. In the video, the hostages called for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.
A screenshot of the Israeli hostage video released by Hamas on the 10th (local time). Times of Israel website
According to AFP, the hostages shown in the three-minute video released by Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, have been identified as Elkana Bobot, 36, and Yosef Chaim Ohana, 24. Both were abducted from the site of the Nova music festival during Hamas's surprise attack on October 7, 2023.
Ohana, speaking in Hebrew, urged the Israeli government to end the war in the Gaza Strip so that the remaining hostages could be released. He was seated next to Bobot, who was lying on the floor covered with a blanket.
Since the end of the first phase of the 42-day ceasefire agreed with Israel, which concluded on March 1, Hamas has repeatedly released hostage videos. The release of these videos is seen as a form of psychological warfare intended to pressure Israel, particularly as negotiations for hostage release and a ceasefire?mediated by Egypt and Qatar?have stalled.
However, Israel is expanding its military operations against Hamas. On March 18, Israel resumed attacks throughout the Gaza Strip. Israel claims that intensifying its offensive is a measure to secure the release of the remaining hostages, but some have raised concerns that such actions could put the hostages at grave risk.
Calls for a ceasefire are also growing within Israel. According to local media, large-scale protests demanding a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been held every Saturday in Tel Aviv, including on this day.
The Israeli military currently estimates that of the 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas, about 21 are believed to be alive. In October 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 individuals to the Gaza Strip.
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