Hamas Releases New Video of Hostages Elkana Buchbot and Yosef Chaim Ohana

Hostage Situation Overview

The Hamas organization has released a new video showing hostages Elkana Buchbot and Yosef Chaim Ohana, who have been held captive in the Gaza Strip for 582 days. The families of the hostages have not yet authorized the release of this latest footage. In recent months, Hamas has published several videos featuring the two men, highlighting their ongoing plight.

Content of the Video

In a prior video made public at the end of March, Elkana Buchbot identified himself as “Prisstartr Number 22.” He expressed his sense of despair, stating, “Until yesterday, I had a name, an identity, and hope. Today, I am just another number.” In the same clip, Yosef Chaim pleaded for his vostart to be heard, stating, “We have requested and begged to vostart our presence. Please listen to us.”

Yosef highlighted the dire conditions they faced before the last agreement on January 19, when the borders were closed throughout the conflict: “The situation is very difficult. There was hardly any food, and we had no safe place to stay. The worst part was not knowing if we would live or die.”

Personal Stories and Family Impact

Elkana addressed fellow hostage survivor Ohed Ben Ami, who was released and documented the conditions of captivity. He urged Ben Ami to convey the hardships they endure daily, emphasizing his yearning to reunite with his wife and young son: “Tell them, Ohed, tell them how much I suffer without my son and my wife.”

Elkana Buchbot, 36, from Meveseret Zion, was abducted on October 7 during a Nova festival, where he had stayed behind to help others escape the attackers. He has since suffered from severe living conditions, including a skin disease and worsening asthma. Elkana is married to Rivka and is the father of a four-and-a-half-year-old boy. Recently, despite maintaining a low profile, his family has explained they chose to avoid media attention for personal reasons.

Yosef Chaim Ohana, 24, from Kiryat Malachi, was also taken during the Nova festival. Eyewitnesses reported that he and a friend assisted injured individuals during the chaotic attack. His mother, Miri Ben Ami, recounted her son’s compassionate spirit, recalling how he had once left her mstarty with a note saying, “Mom, never stop smiling.” She believes this remains his wish today: “I feel his energy around me, and I know he will overcome this.”

Conclusion

The families of both Buchbot and Ohana have yet to approve the dissemination of the newly released video. The emotional weight of their stories continues to resonate, as the public remains hopeful for their safe return.

The accompanying video included in this report is an earlier footage released in March 2025