Hamas releases video showing two Israeli hostages alive

Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, on Saturday released a video showing two Israeli hostages alive in Gaza, days after Israel launched an expanded ground assault in Gaza City’s Shujaiya area.

The two-minute video shows one of the hostages with visible injuries, his right cheek and hand wrapped in bandages. Both hostages speak directly to the camera, describing how they survived what they claim was an Israeli strike. The authenticity and date of the footage have not been independently verified by AFP.

The video was published just a day after Hamas warned that Israel's ongoing military operations were endangering the lives of remaining hostages. "The enemy's military pressure puts the hostages in direct danger," Hamas had said in a statement Friday.

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023 Hamas attack has killed over 46,000 people, created a massive humanitarian crisis, and widespread displacement.

Hamas’ cross-border raid into Israeli territory claimed 1,200 lives. It also took more than 250 people captive.

A recent temporary ceasefire, which ended on March 18, saw the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, eight of whom had already died.

The video surfaces amid international pressure for renewed negotiations and growing concern over the fate of those still held in captivity.