In a pre-recorded video, an Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, who was apparently killed along with five others in Israeli airstrikes, claimed that Hamas fighters moved him multiple times to shield him from the continuous Israeli bombardment.
Alexander Lobanov, one of the captives, made this statement before he and other hostages were found dead by Israeli forces in Gaza. The video, which was released by Hamas’ military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, on Wednesday, shows Lobanov describing the grim situation they faced as captives.
“We are being held under extremely harsh conditions. There’s no access to the necessities like water, food, electricity, or sanitation supplies,” Lobanov said. “The Israeli army is constantly bombing, and we live in fear, struggling to sleep.”
He further explained that Hamas fighters relocated him “about ten times” to protect him from the heavy Israeli airstrikes.
Lobanov also directed sharp criticism at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his government of abandoning the hostages. “You failed us on October 7,” he said, referring to the date of their capture. “Now you continue to fail in every attempt to rescue us alive.”
He went on to accuse Netanyahu’s administration of attempting to kill the hostages to avoid negotiations with Hamas. “You are trying to kill us to prevent any deal,” he added, urging Israelis to protest and demand the safe return of the hostages.
Another hostage, Carmel Gat, also appeared in the video, describing the dire conditions under constant Israeli airstrikes. Gat, a resident of the Be’eri settlement near Gaza, pleaded for the bombing to stop and for negotiations to resume. “Please stop abandoning us, stop the bombing, and bring us home,” she urged Netanyahu and the Israeli government, while also calling on the public to continue protests for the hostages’ release.
The Israeli military has accused Hamas of killing the hostages, while Hamas claims the captives died as a result of Israeli airstrikes. According to Hamas, dozens of hostages have been killed due to Israeli bombardments.
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