Brother Reacts to Hamas Hostage Video Amid Calls for Truce

**Israeli Female Conscripts Captured by Hamas Shown in Aired Footage**
In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli television broadcasted previously unseen footage on Wednesday, showcasing the harrowing moments when five female army conscripts, dressed in pajamas, were captured by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 raid, igniting the ongoing Gaza war. The families of the captives have expressed hope that this footage will ramp up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broker a truce with Hamas to ensure the hostages’ safe return.
The Netanyahu administration has leveraged the release of this three-minute subtitled clip to both national and international media as a strategy to consolidate support, while Hamas has countered by defending its fighters’ actions and accusing the video of being a manipulation tactic.
David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesperson, implored the public not to ignore the plight of these captives, stating, “These girls are still in the captivity of Hamas. Please don’t look away. Watch the film. Support Israel in bringing our people home.”
The footage depicts the young women, visibly shocked and some injured, as they are forcibly taken into a jeep. The distressing video includes a plea from 19-year-old conscript Naama Levy, who asserts her connections in Palestine, only to be met with hostility from one of the gunmen.
The Hostages Families Forum, representing the relatives of the 124 individuals − mostly civilians − still held by Hamas, revealed that the footage was extracted from bodycams worn by the attackers at Nahal Oz base, where the women served. Despite the inclusion of this footage, shots of slain Israeli soldiers were omitted, with publication greenlit by the families of the five hostages.
In response to the mounting pressure, Netanyahu’s security cabinet convened, authorizing an effort to renew talks with Hamas, which had previously faltered over the group’s demands for an end to the Gaza war in exchange for the hostages. The specifics of when and under what conditions new negotiations might occur remain unclear.
Israel reports that the October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 abductions, prompting an Israeli offensive that Gaza health authorities say has led to over 35,000 Palestinian casualties. Netanyahu’s government remains adamant that continued military pressure will compel Hamas to concede, despite fears from hostage families regarding the welfare and potential sexual assault of the female captives.
Amidst these tensions, Orly Gilboa, a mother of one of the hostages, pleaded with the international community to aid in bringing the captives home, highlighting the constant suffering endured by the hostages.
Hamas has refuted allegations of sexual abuse, asserting that the video serves to propagate “fabricated narratives” and maintaining that the female soldiers were treated ethically. In a notable diplomatic move, Israel’s Foreign Ministry has arranged for the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway, and Spain to view the video, amid their countries’ contemplation of recognizing a Palestinian state.