Gaza, April 24 -- Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, on Wednesday published a video showing an Israeli hostage calling for an immediate prisoner exchange, marking a fresh attempt to push for negotiations amid ongoing hostilities.
In the footage, the hostage identified himself as Omri Miran, saying he had been held for a year and a half in the Gaza Strip. Miran was abducted from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas's cross-border attack into southern Israel. He recently turned 48, his second birthday spent in captivity.
"I passed my second birthday here and couldn't celebrate. There is no joy, only fear," Miran said in the video, recorded under unclear conditions. He urged Israeli authorities to pursue a swift prisoner...