Gaza hostages plead with Israel to take them home

(CLO) Hamas on Saturday released a video showing a hostage who introduced himself as Matan Zangauker, 24, pleading with Israeli leaders to make a deal to return Hamas detainees in Gaza to Israel.

Mediators, including Qatar, are trying to broker a deal that could see the release of 100 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners, after Israel signed a landmark ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon last month.

Image of hostage in video released by Hamas.

US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy has traveled to Qatar and Israel to try to jump-start his diplomatic push to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal before he takes office on January 20, sources said.

Hamas has released several videos of hostages pleading for release throughout the war, now in its 15th month, but Israeli officials have often dismissed the clips as propaganda.

However, the Israel Hostage Family Forum, which represents hostage family members, called the video "proof of life" and said it "provides further evidence that after more than 420 days of captivity, there are still hostages alive and suffering terribly".

Israeli forces are continuing their assault on Gaza. Their latest air strikes have killed at least 16 Palestinians in the heart of the almost leveled strip.

Five members of one family, including children, were killed in an attack on a refugee camp for displaced people in Deir el-Balah early Sunday morning while they were sleeping, according to Gaza's health ministry. The total death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks has reached 44,708.

Israel is reportedly still besieging the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. Palestinian health officials reported on Sunday that Israeli forces had shelled the hospital, damaging its electrical system and oxygen pumps and disrupting emergency surgeries.

Hussam Abu Safia, director of the hospital, one of only three still functioning in northern Gaza, said the facility was hit by about 100 tank shells and bombs, wounding a number of medical staff and patients.

Bui Huy (according to AJ, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/con-tin-con-song-o-gaza-cau-xin-israel-dua-ho-ve-nha-post324704.html