Hamas releases distressed plea video from American-Israeli and Israeli captives Siegel and Miran as families demand prisoner swap ahead of Independence Day

The militant group Hamas has released a video featuring American-Israeli Keith Siegel and Israeli Omri Miran, both former captives held by Hamas since October last year. In the footage, which cannot be independently verified as to its location or date of filming, Siegel appears distressed and pleads with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a hostage exchange deal in order for his release. Miran states that he has been detained for 202 days – indicating the video was likely shot on Thursday last week (3/5/19). Hamas, known primarily as a terror organization linked to violent uprisings and suicide bombing campaigns against Israel since its founding in 1987, is also believed responsible for kidnapping Siegel alongside his wife from their home at Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7 last year. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office declined comment when approached by CNN regarding the video release. This latest footage follows a similar hostage video released earlier in the week featuring an apparently wounded Israel-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, abducted during an event called Nova music festival on October 7 last year. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has confirmed receipt of proof-of-life videos from both Siegel and Miran, with families calling for the release of all captives before Israel’s Independence Day celebrations this month (May). In a statement issued by the forum on Saturday night local time, it called upon the Israeli government to ensure safe return for the survivors through swift approval of a prisoner swap arrangement. The forum also urged authorities to provide dignified burials for those who have lost their lives during captivity at Hamas’ hands – as well as reminding leaders that this is an opportune moment to end ongoing negotiations aimed solely at implementing ceasefire terms in Gaza, rather than addressing the issue of hostages. Miran was seized by armed assailants from his home alongside wife and two daughters on October 7 last year; while Siegel’s spouse was released as part of a prisoner exchange deal negotiated between Egypt and Israel late last year (November). According to officials with knowledge of ongoing talks, an Egyptian delegation is currently in Israel attempting to advance negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.