A recent propaganda video released by Hamas showcased the release of four Israeli hostages, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding their captivity and subsequent freedom. The video, which emerged after the hostages were freed on Saturday, depicted the women receiving certificates and souvenir keychains as tokens of their release.
It is important to note that the exact conditions under which the hostages were speaking in the video remain unclear, raising questions about potential duress or coercion. The nearly three-minute footage captured the four women seated inside a van, visibly smiling and posing with certificates that bore the inscription, “Decision for captive release.” Additionally, the women were shown receiving 'gift bags' containing silver-colored souvenir keychains, similar to those given to other previously released hostages.
Expressing gratitude towards the Al Qassam Brigades, the women in the video thanked them for their treatment, which included providing food, water, and protection from shelling. Notably, none of the four women are native Arabic speakers, as evidenced by their Hebrew accents during the video.
The video also referenced the initial kidnapping of the four soldiers by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which had garnered widespread attention after videos of the incident went viral. The footage depicted the women being taken in civilian clothing, with some even in pajamas as they were forcibly removed from their bedrooms, resulting in visible injuries and bloodstains.
