Israeli Forces Unveil Hamas Footage of Former Child Captive

The Israeli military has shared a video that they claim to have found from Hamas. The video features a child named Ela Elyakim who was held hostage by Hamas, according to spokesperson Daniel Hagari.

Hagari did not mention the specific time or place where the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found the video. In the video, Ela Elyakim can be seen asking to be set free after being released.

The IDF shared a picture of Ela with her sister Dafna Elyakim standing together in front of a flag displaying the Hamas logo.

These two sisters were taken from their house in Kibbutz Nir Oz in an attack by Hamas on October 7. They were set free on November 26 as a part of a ceasefire agreement.

The sisters' family agreed to the IDF releasing the video, according to Hagari. CNN chose not to broadcast the video, but instead displayed a still image of the two sisters.

Hagari mentioned, "Ela's family requested us to share the video to reveal Hamas's terror, cruelty, and barbarism. Please support us in honoring Ela's family's wishes by sharing this video widely."

Ela, who is eight years old, spoke in Hebrew in the video. She introduced herself as Ela Elyakim, the daughter of Noam, and pleaded for her release, stating that she is being held hostage by Hamas.

According to Hagari, Ela shared that she was coerced by Hamas terrorists to recite a scripted message, change her clothing, and repeatedly reenact the distressing scene captured in the video.

The IDF released an image showing sisters Ela and Dafna Elyakim, who were previously held hostage by Hamas, in front of a flag with the Hamas logo.

The IDF released an image showing sisters Ela and Dafna Elyakim, who were previously held hostage by Hamas, in front of a flag with the Hamas logo.

IDF

Around 250 people were taken hostage during Hamas’ surprise October 7 attack on southern Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli officials.

In the seven months since then, Israel has waged a war in Gaza resulting in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Despite the release of over 100 hostages in November through a deal, the IDF suspects that there are still 132 hostages in Gaza, with 128 of them being taken on October 7. Among the 132 hostages, 40 are presumed to have lost their lives, including two who were captured back in 2014, according to the IDF.

The video was released amidst growing political divisions in Israel regarding the direction and focus of the war, leading to a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Former Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz, who is a member of the war cabinet, warned on Saturday that his party would leave the coalition government if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not alter his approach.

Gantz urged the cabinet to implement a plan to bring back Israeli hostages, dismantle Hamas, and remove weapons from Gaza by June 8. Netanyahu's office disagreed with Gantz's terms, causing tensions within the government.

The Israeli military found the body of a hostage in Gaza on Saturday. This discovery came after they recovered the remains of three other hostages who died while trying to escape the Nova music festival on October 7.

Editor's P/S:

The video released by the Israeli military is a chilling reminder of the horrors of war and the human cost it inflicts. Ela Elyakim's plea for freedom is a heart-wrenching testament to the suffering endured by innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of conflict. Her story highlights the urgent need for a ceasefire and a political solution to end the violence and prevent further atrocities.

The ongoing political divisions within Israel over the war's direction and focus are a source of concern. The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands immediate attention, and it is imperative that all parties involved work together to find a peaceful resolution. The discovery of hostages' bodies further underscores the urgency of ending this conflict and bringing about a just and lasting peace.