Families Express Grave Concern as 700-Day Captivity Milestone Passes
TEL AVIV — An emotional new video released by Hamas on Friday, September 5, shows Israeli captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal appealing directly to the Israeli government and public, claiming that he and other hostages are being held captive by the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not by Hamas. The video was released on the 700th day since the October 7 attack, intensifying domestic pressure on the Israeli government.
According to media reports, The footage, shared by the al-Qassam Brigades, features Gilboa-Dalal and another captive, Alon Ohel. In the video, which CNN has geolocated to Gaza City, Gilboa-Dalal says he is “close to the army” and at imminent risk from Israeli military operations. He urges the Israeli public to protest and “create chaos” to pressure the government into a deal, warning that continued military action in Gaza City would be a “death sentence” for the hostages.
Gilboa-Dalal, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, expresses disbelief at his survival after 22 months in captivity. He highlights the severe conditions in Gaza, stating that the two million residents and the hostages are all struggling with a lack of food, water, and electricity. He sarcastically thanks Prime Minister Netanyahu for the small amount of aid they’ve received while his son, Yair Netanyahu, is in Miami.
According to media reports, The captive also names specific Israeli leaders, including far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and accuses them of lying and not wanting the hostages to return home.
The release of the video marks the first “sign of life” for Gilboa-Dalal in six months and comes just as a major Israeli offensive in Gaza City is reportedly looming. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded with a statement expressing deep concern for the 48 remaining hostages, saying a large-scale military operation would be an “immediate, direct threat” to their lives.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Israeli negotiators to resume talks on a deal, stating that the video is “another painful reminder” that the government must act. The video has amplified the calls for a hostage deal among protesters in Israel, while some officials, like Defense Minister Israel Katz, say military operations will intensify until Hamas surrenders and disarms.
