“Psychological warfare,” Israel calls it. In fact, the new video released yesterday by the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, is nothing different. It shows three Israeli hostages, three elderly and chronically ill people, who are still in the hands of the extremists in Gaza. They are Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 84, all from Kibbutz Nir Oz. It is not known when the video was filmed, but the timing of its release is strategically important. “We don’t know why you abandoned us here. We don't want to die under Israeli attacks.” The 79-year-old Peri's words sound like clockwork at the end of a day in which CIA chief William Burns flew to Warsaw, Poland, to meet with Mossad chief David Barnea and the Qatari prime minister Al Thani to discuss how to ensure the safe return of the other abductees. “Positive talks”, but still no announcements, except for the American assurances given by the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, to Tel Aviv after the meeting with the Israeli Defense Minister Gallant: “American support for the security of Israel is unwavering”, he assured Austin, who promised Israel more weapons and that he was not there to set “deadlines or conditions” for the conflict.
Reassuring words for Prime Minister Netanyahu. But time is running out and Hamas is exploiting the anguish of the abductees' families, knowing that every day can be deadly, as shown by the mistaken killing of three young Israelis killed by friendly fire after more than 70 days of captivity. “It was not a mistake, but an execution,” accused the father of Alon Shamritz, one of the killed hostages. It is a sign of the desperation of the relatives, of an intolerance that is increasing as the Israeli offensive in Gaza continues.
“Israel's victory is the victory of the free world,” emphasized Minister Gallant after the meeting with Austin. “This is not a war against the Palestinian people.” But the tragic consequences are visible to the world. Palestinian casualties would number nearly 20,000. Yesterday in Khan Yunis the maternity ward of the hospital was ransacked and a little girl was killed. The WHO also visited Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and spoke of “horror scenes” there. A catastrophic situation for the Palestinian civilian population. And Iran claims that Israeli bulldozers buried wounded Palestinians who were still alive near Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.
However, Hamas still proves to be dangerous and rich. Weapons and over a million euros in cash (5 million shekels) were found in Jabalia, in the home of one of the group's commanders. In Rimal, a Gaza suburb, the army also captured terrorists from Nukhba, the group's elite force, and other militants responsible for the Oct. 7 massacre. Hamas is weakened, but not yet finished. According to Israel's Kan public television, the group is ready to launch attacks from Syria. And three rockets were fired from Syria into the Golan Heights yesterday. The Israeli army spokesman addresses the three kidnapped people shown in the “terrorist and criminal” Hamas video: “Haim, Yoram, Amiram, know that we are doing everything to bring you back safely (…).” We will not rest until you return too.