Hamas release video proof of 2 alive Israeli hostages in Gaza - WATCH

A video showing two Israeli men held hostage in Gaza since Hamas' October 7 raid on southern Israel has been released by the armed wing of the Islamist group.

The two men in the video, who are shown urging Israeli authorities to strike a deal on the return of hostages, were identified by the campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum as Keith Siegel, 64, and Omri Miran, 47.

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Hamas has released another video of some more of the hostages in Gaza, Keith Siegel (US citizen) and Omri Miran. The video is aimed squarely at Israeli citizens, with hostages saying they hope the demonstrations will continue to put pressure on Israel's government to make a deal. pic.twitter.com/MagpQiDlUt

— Séamus Malekafzali (@Seamus_Malek) April 27, 2024 >

The video, which was released on Saturday, came just three days after Hamas issued another showing 24-year-old hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin alive. Both Siegel and Goldberg-Polin also have US citizenship.

In the video, Siegel and Miran both speak of being in danger from bombs and urge continued protests in Israel, calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a hostage deal.

"It's time to reach a deal that will get us out of here safe and healthy ... Keep protesting, so that there will be a deal now," Miran said.

It remains unclear under what circumstances the video was recorded and whether the men spoke under duress. Israel has said Hamas uses these videos to psychologically terrorize the hostages' families. The EU, Israel, the United States and several other countries classify Hamas as a terrorist organization. 

The video was made public shortly after a senior Hamas member said the group was reviewing Israel's latest cease-fire proposal.

Mideast tensions likely to dominate WEF meeting

A special meeting of the World Economic Forum that gets underway in Saudi Arabia on Sunday is expected to focus on the Israel-Hamas war and current tensions across the Middle East.

The guest list for the meeting in Riyadh includes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Palestinian leaders. There will be no Israeli participation at the summit.

"The world is today walking a tightrope right now, trying to balance security and prosperity," Saudi Planning Minister Faisal al-Ibrahim told a press conference on Saturday.

"We meet at a moment when one misjudgment or one miscalculation or one miscommunication will further exacerbate our challenges," al-Ibrahim said.

Saudi Arabia remains in talks about a deal under which it would recognize Israel for the first time. Still, analysts have said Israel's offensive against Hamas has made this more difficult.

Israel launched its offensive in Gaza after Hamas carried out a deadly raid in southern Israel on October 7, in which some 1,200 people died, mostly Israeli civilians.

The conflict has since drawn in a number of other actors, including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis, who have carried out acts of aggression against Israel and what they call Israel-linked targets in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. 

Protesters in Tel Aviv demand Israeli government resign

Crowds of protesters gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday, calling for an immediate deal between Israel and the militant Islamist group Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Demonstrators chanted "A deal now" and called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to resign.

The protest is the latest in a series of such demonstrations in Israel in support of the hostages, who have now been in captivity for 205 days.

Some 250 Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas during a deadly raid on October 7. Some have already been returned to Israel as part of an exchange in November for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel estimates that about 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead.