Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu called the two Hamas propaganda videos released a short time earlier “cruel and malicious psychological warfare.”
The premier also stated that he maintains ongoing communication with the families of the hostages, who are “enduring a terrible and prolonged nightmare.”
According to the latest Israeli estimates, there are 100 captives in the clutch of terrorist groups in Gaza, including 96 kidnapped during the Hamas-led massacre in the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023. Sixty-four hostages are believed to be alive.
Netanyahu also warned again that “whoever harms our hostages—will pay the price. We will continue to work relentlessly for the return home of all of our male and female hostages, the living and the deceased.”
Hamas on Saturday published a video of an unidentified, tattooed hostage followed by a second video titled, “Netanyahu’s biggest dream is for them to all die.” The second video begins with a clip of Netanyahu giving a speech, stating, “We must return them [the hostages] all, the living and the dead as one.”
It then shows a compilation of hostages killed in Gaza and sign-of-life videos previously released by Hamas. The video then pivots to a CGI scene of Israeli soldiers carrying coffins to graves with pictures of hostages on the tombstones. Netanyahu is then shown digging a grave before asking “how many are left? 99 or 100?” This refers to Netanyahu saying on Dec. 9: “How many hostages are there in 99? 100? 100. Unfortunately not all of them are alive. We will work to return them all.”
Hamas propaganda chief Abu Obeida also claimed in a statement on Saturday evening that the Israel Defense Forces had struck a site where hostages were being held. He wrote on the terror group’s Telegram channel that Hamas intelligence “confirms that the enemy deliberately bombed the place with the aim of killing the prisoners and their guards,” according to The Jerusalem Post.
Trump hostage adviser heading to Israel
Adam Boehler, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, is visiting Israel this week amid ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the remaining captives in Gaza.
He will meet with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Monday, Ynet reported on Saturday night.
His visit comes as a senior Israeli official told the Hebrew news site that “significant progress” has been made in hostage negotiation efforts, suggesting that Hamas could be willing to drop some of its war-long demands to reach an agreement. The official indicated that a deal could be reached within weeks.
Reports suggest that the terror group has given up its demand for a declaration to end the war and a full Israel Defense Forces withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas has also reportedly agreed to a phased ceasefire and is willing to compromise on the release of high-profile terrorists in Israeli prisons.
Channel 13 quoted Egyptian officials as saying that “Israel must also show flexibility” to finalize a deal.
Hamas reportedly submitted several concessions to Egyptian mediators.
Boehler revealed to Israel Hayom last week that diplomatic efforts have intensified to secure a Gaza ceasefire deal before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, with Qatari mediators re-engaging in negotiations.
The envoy emphasized Trump’s unwavering commitment, stating, “The president said he wants the hostages, and he will get them.”
Speaking to Israel Hayom from Washington, Boehler outlined the scope of his mission. “My presidential mandate is clear: Secure the release of American hostages from these locations,” he said.
“I have a strong conviction that we will bring everyone home—both those alive and those who are not. The president’s insistence on achieving this before his inauguration has already catalyzed significant progress in negotiations,” he added.
On Dec. 2, Trump vowed consequences for Hamas if the terror group did not release its hostages before inauguration day, Jan. 20.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that there had been “all talk, no action” to free the captives so far.
“If the hostages are not released prior to Jan. 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as president of the United States, there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity,” Trump wrote.
“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” he added. “Release the hostages now.”
The senior U.S. official confirmed that Trump’s incoming administration fully backs ongoing negotiation efforts, stating, “We support all initiatives in this regard.”
Boehler, a veteran of Trump’s first administration, played a key role in facilitating the groundbreaking Abraham Accords.
Meanwhile, thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and other locations across Israel last night to press for a deal to release the hostages in Gaza as part of weekly rallies. JNS
{Matzav.com Israel}