"We will remain in Gaza City regardless of the Israeli army's (then-anticipated) attack on Gaza," prisoner Guy Dalal said in the video, which he said was recorded on August 28. "This means that I and more than eight other Israeli citizens (prisoners) will die here." He asserted that he has been living a "real nightmare" for more than 22 months in captivity.
He added, "We thought we were prisoners of Hamas, but the truth is we are prisoners of Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich," and that the Israeli government, represented by Netanyahu, "lies all the time" and does not seek to return him to his country. The clip also showed him meeting with another prisoner in Gaza City, without naming him.
Dalal confirmed that he was in Gaza City despite the Israeli occupation forces' ongoing assault on the city. He said, "I am terrified by the idea of an Israeli army attack on Gaza. It means we will die here." He called on Israelis to demonstrate and pressure the government to release prisoners and stop the war.
He continued, "We hear the sounds of explosions and gunfire, and the sound of helicopters overhead. We want all of this to end so we can return to our families." Dalal spoke of his suffering due to the shortages of food, gas, and electricity, saying that he and the prisoners, along with two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, are facing these difficulties.
He also sent a sarcastic message to Netanyahu, saying sarcastically: "Thank you, Netanyahu, for letting us eat some bread, cheese, and instant noodles, while your son (Yair Netanyahu) is in Miami enjoying grilled meat."
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In a related development, the Hebrew newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday that army officers contacted the families of prisoners ahead of the anticipated military operation in Gaza, warning of the increased risk of their children being harmed. They also urged them to prepare for the possibility that Hamas might release videos escalating its "psychological terrorism."
These developments come in light of Netanyahu's refusal last Sunday to vote on a partial prisoner release deal during a meeting of his security cabinet, despite reports of pressure to renegotiate the exchange deal. Hebrew reports indicated that the military supports the exchange agreement, but the government has not announced any progress.
For their part, the prisoners' families warned of the immediate dangers threatening their children's lives in light of the military operation, calling for an urgent meeting with Netanyahu and senior officials to explain a plan to protect the prisoners and ensure their safety.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 64,231 Palestinians dead and 161,583 wounded, most of them children and women. More than 9,000 are missing, hundreds of thousands are displaced, and 370 Palestinians, including 131 children, are facing famine.
