Fri Sep 05 12:58:46 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Hamas Releases Hostage Video as Gaza Offensive Intensifies, Raising Pressure for Deal**

**Tel Aviv – September 5, 2025** – Hamas released a video on Friday featuring Israeli hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal, abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack, claiming he is being held in Gaza City. The video’s release comes as the Israeli military intensifies its offensive in the city, targeting what it calls Hamas’s last stronghold.

Gilboa-Dalal, appearing exhausted, stated he is being held with other hostages and fears being killed by the Israeli offensive. The video showed him identifying a building as belonging to the Red Cross, an organization Hamas has refused access to the hostages. Another hostage, Alon Ohel, was also briefly shown.

The release of the video has reignited the debate within Israel on how to secure the release of the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has urged the government to resume negotiations, which collapsed in July. However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a full occupation of Gaza.

Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that military operations would continue until Hamas releases the hostages and disarms, while Prime Minister Netanyahu is pushing for an “all or nothing” deal. Hamas has long offered to release all hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with over 64,000 Palestinians killed since the start of the conflict. Residents report heavy Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, where approximately one million people lived before the war.

The video’s release has drawn condemnation from Human Rights Watch, which labeled it inhumane treatment and a potential war crime. Israeli officials have characterized the videos as psychological warfare.

Despite significant losses for Hamas, with estimates of 20,000 militants killed, questions are being raised within Israel about the military’s ability to achieve further gains in Gaza after nearly two years of war.

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