Hamas has released another proof-of-life propaganda video, this time of Israeli hostages Omri Miran and Keith Siegel, as international pressure on the terror group to agree to a deal with Israel intensfies.
The video, released on Saturday, is the second of its kind to be put out in three days.
In the undated footage filmed under duress, civilians Miran, 46, and Siegel, 64, pleaded for the Israeli government to agree to a deal with Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
"I have been here in Hamas captivity for 202 days. The situation here is unpleasant, difficult and there are many bombs," Miran said in the three-minute video.
Siegel mentioned the Passover holiday, indicating that the footage was taken recently.
The video ended with a direct message from Hamas to the Israeli public: “Your Nazi leaders don’t care about the fate of your captive sons or about their feelings. Do what is needed before it is too late.”
Siegel, who is also a US citizen, was kidnapped with his wife Aviva from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, though she was freed in November during the temporary ceasefire.
"Keith, I love you, we will fight until you return,” she said in a video statement.
Aviva Siegel, who was released in November, wears a T-shirt showing a picture of her husband Keith Siegel, who remains in captivity (Photo: Getty)AFP via Getty Images
Siegel’s daughter Ilan added: “Seeing my father today only emphasises to all of us how much we must reach a deal as soon as possible and bring everyone home. I demand that the leaders of this country watch this video and see their father crying out for help.”
It follows another proof-of-life video, released by Hamas on Thursday, which showed Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who was abducted from the Nova music festival on October 7. Goldberg-Polin can be seen missing his lower left arm and hand.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, appeared in a proof-of-life video released by Hamas last week[Missing Credit]
Both videos appear to be aimed at the Israeli public. Hamas rejected a previous proposal for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of 40 of the remaining hostages, though the terror organisation has reportedly been studying Israel’s latest proposal for a truce, which would include the release of 33 living hostages.
If Hamas agree to such a deal, Israel will suspend its planned ground assault in the southern city of Rafah, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said during a Channel 12 interview on Saturday.
“The release of the hostages is the top priority for us,” Katz said during the interview. He added: “If there will be a deal, we will suspend the operation.”
A woman lifts a placard bearing the image of Omri Miran during a rally by relatives and supporters of hostages held by terrorists in Gaza (Photo: Getty)AFP via Getty Images
Since the November ceasefire deal, Hamas has conditioned the release of any further hostages on Israel ending the war — a demand Netanyahu has flatly rejected.
A senior Israeli official told The Times of Israel on Saturday that “Israel did not agree to an end to the war, to a withdrawal from the Strip, or to other demands that Hamas presented.
“Israel did not accept the Egyptian demands, and presented its own conditions for a deal,” said the official, without elaborating on those terms.
Channel 12 reported on Saturday that Israel anticipates Hamas’ answer to its latest proposal in the next 48 hours.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum reacted to the latest Hamas propaganda video in a post on X, writing: “The proof of life from Keith Siegel and Omri Miran is the clearest evidence that we must do everything to approve a deal for the return of all the hostages! The living should return for rehabilitation, and the murdered should receive a dignified burial.”
