Israel Gaza: Hamas releases video showing three elderly Israeli hostages
The armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades, has released a video of three elderly Israeli men being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
The video shows Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85.
Mr Peri can be seen addressing the camera and calling for their release.
About 120 hostages are believed to still be in captivity in Gaza after a deadly Hamas attack on 7 October. Israel's military described the footage as a "criminal terror video".
"It testifies to Hamas' cruelty towards innocent, very elderly civilians who are in need of medical care," said Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
"The world must act in order to deliver medical aid and check on the state of the hostages. We are morally obliged to make every and all efforts in order to bring the hostages back home," the spokesman added.
The footage was released on the Telegram messaging app.
The hostages taken in October are believed to be held by Hamas and allied Palestinian groups.
Prisoners of war and hostages are protected under international humanitarian law and so the BBC does not broadcast the full details of material which may have been filmed under duress.
A spokesperson for Kibbutz Nir Oz, where the men were abducted from, urged US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is currently visiting Israel, to secure their release.
"We appreciate any sign of life from the hostages, but time is running out," the spokesperson said.
"The immediate release of all those abducted, through any potential negotiation avenue, is urgently required.
"Each passing day exacerbates their situation. Recent events sadly illustrate that the hostages' situation is deteriorating with each passing day, particularly for older individuals."
An estimated 240 hostages were taken to Gaza during Hamas's 7 October attacks that killed about 1,200 in southern Israel.
Israel has launched a massive retaliatory operation it says is aimed at destroying Hamas. More than 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, with hundreds of thousands displaced.
FULL REPORT AT: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67752611
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