Al-Qassam Brigades release new video address by Israeli captive
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The Israeli captive previously appeared in a video address, pleading with the Israeli government to stop its renewed aggression on Gaza after it worsened their living conditions.
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The Israeli captive Elkana Bohbot as seen in the video address published by al-Qassam Brigades, Gaza, occupied Palestine, on March 29, 2025 (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)
Al-Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—released a video of an Israeli captive, while Israeli media described the footage as "harsh psychological warfare propaganda," on Saturday evening.
Elkana Bohbot, who identified himself as "captive No. 22," confirmed that he was the one who requested the video be recorded —not Hamas— having previously sent a message to Benjamin Netanyahu's government published by the Qassam Brigades on March 24, along with another captive.
In the video, the Israeli captive is seen crying and shouting, pleading with his government to bring him back and secure his release from Gaza, just as Israeli female soldiers and elderly detainees were freed during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement's captive exchange in January and February.
Elkana appealed to the Israeli occupation's General Labor Union, saying, "I'm suffocating—I need to get out of here," and then questioned, "You defend your recognized workers, so why won’t you stand up for me?" The Israeli captive stressed that no military operation could force the release of Israeli captives from Gaza, warning that "any such attempt would only get them killed."
In his earlier message, where he appeared alongside fellow captive Hayim Ohana—who identified himself as "Captive No. 21"—Elkana warned that "Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza would mean the end for us."
The two captives noted that their handlers had initially treated them well—they were no longer starving, had access to fresh air, and conditions improved when the ceasefire deal took effect and border crossings reopened. However, they suffered a harsh setback on the 18th of this month when the war on Gaza resumed.
Captives try to reason with Netanyahu
40 former Israeli captives in Gaza and 250 relatives of captives held in the Palestinian enclave have signed a letter urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to halt its renewed aggression and resume negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 59 captives.
"Stop the fighting. Return to the negotiating table and fully complete an agreement that will return all of the hostages, even at the cost of ending the war," the letter read, warning that "Israel's" military pressure is endangering the captives.
“Military pressure kills hostages and disappears bodies. This is not a slogan, this is reality," it emphasized, recalling that 41 captives were killed in Gaza.
The former captives and their families accused the Israeli occupation government of "choosing an endless war over rescuing and returning hostages, thereby sacrificing them to their deaths. This policy is criminal."
