Third Video of Hostage Elkana Bohbut Released by Hamas Amid Mounting Pressure on Israeli Government

Hamas released a third video of Israeli abductee Elkana Bohbut on Saturday, continuing its campaign of weekly hostage videos aimed at pressuring the Israeli government into striking a deal. Bohbut, who was kidnapped during the October 7 Nova music festival massacre, turned 36 in captivity last month. His latest appearance follows two previous videos in which he pleaded for his release and spoke emotionally about being separated from his young son and wife.

The Bohbut family has not publicly approved releasing the latest video. In a previously approved video, Elkana was seen making a direct appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

“Why can’t my son say ‘daddy’? A five-year-old boy is about to celebrate his birthday. Please get me out of here. Get out for me, shout my cry,” he said.

“This is not psychological warfare. My real psychological warfare is me with myself, that I wake up every morning without my son and my wife.”

Hamas released the latest video shortly before Prime Minister Netanyahu was expected to deliver a public statement. In response, Einav Tsengauker—mother of abductee Matan Tsengauker—issued five pointed questions for the prime minister, questioning why a potential agreement had collapsed and demanding clarity about the timeline for securing the hostages’ release.“Is the release likely to take six months, as Minister Dermer said?” she asked. “Because our children will not survive there!”

Hostage Numbers and Weekly Video Releases

According to the latest data, 59 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip. Of those, 24 are believed to be alive, and 20 have received life-saving certificates. Since fighting resumed in Gaza, Hamas has released weekly videos of hostages, a strategy widely viewed as psychological pressure on Israel’s leadership.

Elkana Bohbut was working as part of the Nova festival production team when Hamas militants launched the deadly October 7 attack. During the chaos, he reportedly helped evacuate the wounded before being abducted. Two days after his birthday last month, Hamas released a video featuring Bohbut alongside another hostage, Yosef Haim Ohana. A week later, a second, emotionally distressing video showed him begging for his release, kneeling with a picture of Netanyahu behind him.

New Sign of Life from Rom Breslavsky

This week also marked the first recorded sign of life from another hostage, Rom Breslavsky. In a short clip authorized for release by his family, Breslavsky is heard crying out in distress:

“All day I'm just itching. All day, I'm in pain. I don't know what this disease is. It’s gone, it's gone. Please, Mr. Prime Minister. Please get me out of here. Trump – where are you? Where are your promises?”

Families Rally for Government Action

Saturday night’s weekly rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv is expected to draw large crowds again, under the banner “We only have one stroke left,” a reference to urgent calls for a single, comprehensive deal to free all remaining hostages. The protest is being organized by the families’ headquarters and is supported by recently released hostages and relatives of those still in captivity.

Among the expected speakers are hostage survivor Omar Shem Tov, speaking publicly for the first time, and family members including Ilana Gritsewski (partner of Matan Tsengauker), Anat Engerst (mother of Matan Engerst), and Liron Oberlander (cousin of Rom Breslavsky).

“The people choose the kidnapped, they are above politics, above all disputes,” the families said in a statement. “History will remember those who sat and remained silent, and those who stood up and acted.”

Hamas Rejects Latest Israeli Proposal

Earlier this week, Hamas rejected the most recent Israeli offer for a hostage release and ceasefire deal. In an official statement, the militant group accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of using partial deals to prolong the conflict for political purposes.

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya stated:

“Hamas is ready to immediately discuss a deal that would include the release of all the hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.”

The ongoing impasse and emotional appeals from hostages and their families continue to put pressure on the Israeli government. Many are now demanding a decisive move to end the war and prioritize the safe return of those still held in Gaza, dead or alive.