Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounces new Hamas hostage-taking video as “cruel propaganda”.
The Palestinian armed group Hamas released a video showing three hostages held in the besieged Gaza Strip, sparking condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The video was released Monday by Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades.
The women who appear in the video probably did so under duress.
Denouncing the video as “cruel psychological propaganda,” Netanyahu identified the three as Yelena Trupanob, Danielle Aloni and Rimon Kirsht.
In the music video, three women sit side by side against a bare wall. They show no visible signs of injury. One of the women sends an angry message to the Israeli prime minister, accusing Netanyahu of failing to protect Israeli citizens when Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7.
At least 1,400 people were killed in the attack, according to Israeli officials, and more than 230 others were taken hostage.
The women in the video called for a deal to secure their release in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
“You were supposed to free us all. You are committed to freeing us all. But instead, we carry your political, security, military and diplomatic failure,” she said.
From occupied East Jerusalem, Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher said some families of those held captive had reacted “quite positively” to the release of the video.
“It lasts a little over a minute,” Fisher said. “The background is deliberately non-descript so that no location can be identified. The woman who specifically addresses Netanyahu with these quotes says she blames him for the security, intelligence and military failure of October 7.
“Some families reacted quite positively to the broadcast of the video. They understand how it happened, but they say anything that essentially gives proof of life should be welcomed and encouraged.
In a statement, Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to doing everything possible to return the hostages home.
“Kidnapped by Hamas, which commits war crimes, I kiss you. Our hearts are with you and the other captives. We are doing everything to bring home all the captives and the missing,” he said.
The women’s families were due to give a press conference at 7 p.m. (5 p.m. GMT).
This short video is the second hostage message broadcast by Hamas, after a previous clip of 21-year-old Franco-Israeli Mia Schem, broadcast on October 17.
The presence of the hostages in Gaza complicated the ground operation in the enclave launched by Israeli forces last week, following an intense campaign of airstrikes that Palestinian authorities say killed more than 8,000 people .
Four hostages have been freed so far, but efforts to secure further releases through coordinated efforts by Qatar appear to have been suspended after the ground operation began.
