Gaza: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Monday released a video of an Israeli captive held in Gaza for 700 days, who accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to eliminate hostages instead of negotiating their release.

According to Anadolu Agency, Alon Ohel said in the footage that detainees had become 'a burden' for Netanyahu's government, warning their 'final days may be near.' Ohel directed a message to US envoy Steve Witkoff, urging him not to allow Netanyahu to take actions that might lead to the hostages' deaths and called upon his family and the Israeli public to maintain nationwide protests despite the challenges they face.

Ohel also criticized far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accusing the police under his command of treating protesters like criminals. He expressed gratitude to his supporters and lamented that supporting the hostages has been criminalized, urging continued resistance against a government he perceives as wanting to dispose of them.

The video emerged amid growing protests against Netanyahu over his management of the Gaza conflict and his refusal to agree to a prisoner exchange deal. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been conducting operations in Gaza that have resulted in over 65,300 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among women and children.