HAMAS has published a video showing the first proof of life of two more hostages being held in Gaza.
In undated footage filmed under duress, Omri Miran says he has been held for 202 days and Keith Siegel mentions this week’s Passover holiday, indicating the clips were filmed recently.
Both were captured when Hamas launched its deadly attacks on 7 October.
Responding to the video, their families said they would keep fighting for the men’s return.
They also urged the Israeli government to secure a new hostage release deal.
The new video comes as Hamas said it was studying Israel’s latest proposal for a truce. Media reports said mediator Egypt had sent a delegation to Israel to give fresh impetus to stalled negotiations.
Such a deal that included an agreement to free the remaining hostages could stop Israel’s planned ground assault in the southern city of Rafah, Israel’s foreign minister said on Saturday.
‘I thought just kill me quickly’: Gaza hostage’s 54 days in captivity
Mr Siegel, a US citizen, was kidnapped with his wife Aviva, though she was freed in November during a brief truce.
In a video statement Keith’s wife Aviva said: “Keith, I love you, we will fight until you return.” Earlier this month, she told the BBC how the couple had at one point been left in a tunnel by their captors as they were moved from place to place. At the time of the interview, she said she did not know if Keith was still alive.
His daughter Ilan said: “Seeing my father today only emphasises to all of us how much we must reach a deal as soon as possible and bring everyone home. I demand that the leaders of this country watch this video and see their father crying out for help.”
His other daughter Shir said: “If you watched the video, you saw that my father knows we are all coming to the rally every week and fighting for him and all the captives.”
Speaking at the weekly demonstration in Tel Aviv demanding action to release the hostages on Saturday evening, Dani Miran, Omri Miran’s father, led chanting by the crowds.
He was visibly emotional as he delivered a powerful speech, describing his excitement seeing the video of his son, knowing that “he was hopefully alive”.
But his speech also had a political element. He talked directly to the government and specifically by name mentioned its far-right members – National Security Minister, Itamar ben Gvir and Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, calling on them to secure a hostage deal.
He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “approve any viable deal”.
“Take one small and bloodless step for both peoples,” he said, adding: “All the people of Israel and the nations of the world want to see an end to the bloodshed and especially an end to the suffering of your people.”
What was also notable was that before Omri’s father made his speech, the hostage video was shown in full on big screens around Hostage Square.
This is highly unusual, as such videos are not generally played on TV.