Psychological warfare: The Hamas terrorist organization released a video today (Monday) documenting the kidnapped Elkana Buhbut and Yosef Haim Ohana, who have been held captive in Gaza for 535 days.
The family members approved the publication of the video released by the terrorist organization.
This is the first time the two have appeared in videos released by the terrorist organization, but signs of life were received from both of them during phase one of the latest deal to release hostages.
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In the video, Buhbot and Ohana refer to the resumption of fighting on March 18.
In the recording, Elkana is seen pleading for action to be taken to return him, in texts that were apparently dictated by Hamas. He turned to Ohad Ben Ami, who was held with him and released in the deal, and said: "I haven't yet gone out to my wife and son - every day without them is hard." In messages dictated to him by Hamas terrorists, Elkana continued to call on Ohad to speak on their behalf: "Ohad, speak, you were with us. Explain what we are going through so that everyone knows, you know what we are going through here.".
The video also shows the kidnapped Yosef Haim Ohana, who spoke about the worsening situation of the kidnapped during wartime compared to the days of the deal: "Before the last deal, our situation was difficult, we had no food and no safe place, we didn't know if we would live. When the deal began and aid arrived, we saw the light. That's when the blow came. When the Israeli government decided to attack the Gaza Strip last week, it almost brought about our end, we saw death before our eyes.".
The family of Ohad Ben Ami, who was released from Hamas captivity as part of the recent hostage deal, confirmed to the public that Ohad was held captive with Elkana Buhbut and Yosef Haim Ohana. In the video, Buhbut and Ohana refer to the resumption of fighting on March 18.
Buhbot, 35, from Mevaseret Zion, was kidnapped from the Nuba party in Re'im, where he worked as part of the event's production. At 8:00 a.m., he spoke to his wife Rivka and told her: "Everything is fine, I'm trying to evacuate people, I'll come home.".
About an hour later, contact with him was cut off, and later Rivka received a video from a friend of Elkana's that was posted on social media, from which she realized that he had been kidnapped.
""He is in a room with four or five other boys, they look dirty, their clothes are torn and they are scared. You can see in the video that he is covered in blood and his nose is broken as he lies on the floor," she said in an interview with the B network.
Ohana, 24, from Kiryat Malachi, was also kidnapped from the Nuba party. He was listed as missing for two weeks until his family was informed that he had been kidnapped to Gaza. According to testimonies from the party, Yosef helped the wounded at the scene.
About a month ago, Yosef Chaim Ohana's aunt, Hanna Mostronov, told Ynet in an interview about a sign of life the family received from him. "We have clear indications that he is alive. We have remained under the radar until now, but now we are coming out. Anyone who looks at Eli Sharabi understands - I don't know if he would have survived a few more weeks in captivity. It's time to wake up, there is no time - they must return today.".
Last week, Ruhama Bohbot, Elkana's mother, was interviewed on the B network and spoke about her fears about renewed fighting in Gaza and gave details about the sign of life recently received from him.
""The gates of hell have opened upon us. We are going through turbulent days, not knowing who is against whom. I so badly want someone to come, sit with me, explain to me and give me a certain amount of time. I want someone to tell me - 'Ruchama, while so-and-so is at home, your son'. I want my son.".
