Netanyahu responds to Israeli hostages demanding prisoner swap: 'I embrace you'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in response to accusations made against him by Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, stated that they are "doing everything to ensure the return of all kidnapped Israelis to their homes."

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Netanyahu responds to Israeli hostages demanding prisoner swap: 'I embrace you'

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made a statement on his social media account X following the release of footage by Hamas in which an Israeli female hostage addressed Netanyahu and called for a prisoner swap.

Naming the three Israeli hostages in the footage released by Hamas—Elena Trupanov, Daniel Aloni, and Ramon Kirsht—Netanyahu addressed the hostages, saying, "I embrace you. Our hearts are with you and the other kidnapped individuals."

The Israeli Prime Minister said, "We are doing everything to ensure that all kidnapped and missing people return to their homes."

Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, had published a video on its Telegram account containing accusatory statements made by the Israeli hostages it is holding, addressed to Netanyahu.

One of the three female hostages in the video addressed Netanyahu, saying, "You are killing us, do you want to kill us all, do you want to kill us all with the Israeli army, isn't it enough that you have massacred everyone, isn't the killing of Israeli citizens enough for you?"

The Israeli woman, who asked Netanyahu to conduct a prisoner swap, called out, "Release us now. Release their (referring to Palestinians) citizens and prisoners immediately. Release everyone, let us return to our families. Now!"

LATEST SITUATION IN ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA

Hamas's armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, launched a comprehensive attack on Israel on the morning of October 7.

The Israeli army began intense airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials announced that 1,400 Israelis, including 312 soldiers, were killed and 5,132 people were injured in the attacks from Gaza.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that 8,306 Palestinians, including 3,457 children and 2,136 women, were killed and 21,048 people were injured in Israeli attacks.

In the occupied West Bank, 122 Palestinians were killed and approximately 2,000 Palestinians were injured in attacks by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers.

35 journalists in Gaza and 1 in Lebanon lost their lives in Israeli bombardment.

Due to Israel's intense attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip, landline, mobile phone, and internet communication services in the region have come to a standstill.

The Israeli army began expanding limited ground operations on October 26 and further increased the intensity of its airstrikes.

Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest healthcare facility in Gaza where thousands of wounded and civilians are located, was also targeted by the Israeli army.

News Source: AA