The Hamas terror organization published a video with a sign of life from Yosef Haim Ohana and Elkana Bohbot who were abducted on October 7th, 2023, and have been held hostage for 535 days. The Ohana and Bohbot families authorized the publication of the video. In the Hamas propaganda video, the two attack the government and call on released hostages to pressure the government to make a deal for their release. Elkana's family stated: "For 535 days, Elkana has been in an ongoing hell. The video shows he is in poor condition, having lost a significant amount of weight due to persistent starvation. He suffers from skin and breathing problems in addition to being asthmatic, and has not seen daylight for almost a year and a half!" They added: "This video is further proof that Elkana must return home to his family, to his wife Rivka and his son Ra'am David. Elkana is crying out for help, begging us not to forget him in the tunnel hell. The family pleaded: "We appeal and plead with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Trump - please, imagine this is your son, the father of your grandchild, waiting to see daylight, hearing IDF bombs, and living in constant fear for his life. "Every day Ra'am asks about his father. When will we be able to tell him his father is coming home? This child too trapped in a dark tunnel and in captivity." They concluded: "The video is a sign of life, but we want Elkana alive at home and the return of everyone! It's time to end the suffering not only of the families but of an entire nation that wants them home." Related articles: 'It's harder than burying a child' 'Division in the nation gives strength to our enemies' 'No one forgets the hostages for even a moment' Hostage families file suit against Columbia protesters Last month, Yosef Haim's aunt, Hannah Mastronov told Ynet that the family received an indication that he is alive. Mastronov said that the information was received after a recent hostage release. "We have a clear indication that he is alive," she said. "We remained under the radar until now, but now we're coming out. We chose to speak to the media after the release on Shabbat (Saturday), our feelings are really not simple." Ohana, 24 from Kiryat Malachi, was abducted from the Supernova Music Festival in Re'im. His mother revealed that he and a friend assisted the wounded at the festival and took them to ambulances. Elkana Bohbot turned 36 last Saturday; he was also abducted from the music festival where he was working. Rivka and Ruhama Bohbot, his wife and mother, spoke at the weekly rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday night: "Today is your birthday, and on behalf of the entire family, I want to tell you - you are not alone, you are strong and a survivor, and you will hold on. I want to wish you and us a miracle right now, that we will embrace you and never let go. Our little Ram David doesn't stop talking about you. He dreams of the day when he can run into your arms again." "It's unbelievable that we're on day 533 of your captivity and we woke up to the black morning of returning to fighting, and with the testimonies of those who returned, we understand more than ever the dangers of war for the hostages. Therefore, on this day, I want to appeal to the Israeli government, to all decision-makers, to the Prime Minister - don't forget our hostages. We demand that you do everything to bring them back to us, before anything else you do - now. Happy birthday, my love. Waiting for your second birthday, the day of your return to us, home."
