Netanyahu Expresses 'Profound Shock' Over Hostage Videos

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with relatives of two hostages held in Gaza seen in videos released by Palestinian militant groups, expressing his "profound shock" over the images, his office said.

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JERUSALEM -

Since July 31, Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have released three clips showing two hostages taken during the Oct 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The images of Mr. Rom Braslavski and Mr. Evyatar David, looking emaciated after nearly 22 months of captivity, have sparked strong reactions among Israelis, fueling renewed calls to reach a truce and hostage release deal without delay.

"The Prime Minister expressed profound shock over the materials distributed by the terror organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and told the families that the efforts to return all our hostages are ongoing and will continue constantly and relentlessly," said a statement from Mr. Netanyahu's office released late on Aug 2.

Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of people had rallied in the coastal hub of Tel Aviv to urge Mr. Netanyahu's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages.