Israel says ‘will not be deterred' after Hamas issues hostage video
The three-minute video shows the emotional farewell between Israeli-Argentinian Yair Horn and his brother EitanIn the video, Eitan Horn relays a message from Hamas urging the Israeli government to 'sign the second phase of the (ceasefire) deal and return us home'JERUSALEM: The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed as 'Hamas propaganda' Saturday footage released by the Palestinian militant group showing what appeared to be Israeli hostages in Gaza.'The Hamas terrorist organization has, this evening, disseminated another cruel propaganda video in which our hostages are forced to engage in psychological warfare,' Netanyahu's office said.The release of the footage by Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, came as the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire which took effect on January 19 was due to expire on Saturday with no clarity about what happens next.The three-minute video shows the emotional farewell between Israeli-Argentinian Yair Horn and his brother Eitan, suggesting that it was filmed shortly before Yair's release on February 15.In the video, Eitan Horn relays a message from Hamas urging the Israeli government to 'sign the second phase of the (ceasefire) deal and return us home.''Get everyone out and do not separate families,' he says.The footage is accompanied by a message from Hamas reading: 'Only a ceasefire agreement brings them back alive.'It is followed by ticking sounds and an image of an egg timer with the message: 'Time is running out.'In a statement after the video's release, Netanyahu's office said: 'Israel will not be deterred by Hamas propaganda.'We will continue to act relentlessly for the return of all of our hostages and until all objectives of the war are met.'The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli group that campaigns for the release of all captives from Gaza, said the Horn family had given its permission for the footage of the two brothers to be published.'It breaks our heart to see Eitan in this difficult situation, saying goodbye to his brother, (Y)air, who is being freed while Eitan remains held in Hamas hell for 512 days now,' the Horn family said in a statement.'We demand from the decision-makers: Look Eitan in the eyes. Don't stop the agreement that has already brought dozens of hostages back to us. They are running out of time! Bring everyone home, now, in one phase.'Hamas has offered to release all remaining hostages in one go in a second phase of the ceasefire. Israel has called for releases to continue in batches in an extension of the first stage of the ceasefire that has been rejected by the militant group.
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