Video: Israeli Prisoners Speak Out as Hamas Releases Seventh Batch in Gaza Swap Deal
Gaza (Quds News Network)- Al-Qassam Brigades released a video showing the handover of Israeli prisoners Elia Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, and Omer Wenkert. They were part of the seventh batch freed under the prisoner exchange deal between the Palestinian resistance and the occupation state. The footage also showed two other Israeli prisoners, Guy Gilboa and Eviatar David, watching the release of their fellow prisoners with shock and desperation.
As they witnessed the moment, Gilboa and David made an emotional plea. “Please, save us so we can return home. We beg you. Netanyahu, you’ve destroyed us, you’ve killed us,” one of them said. “After more than 500 days in captivity, we are watching our friends leave. Please negotiate properly and finalize a deal. Military pressure will kill us all.” They urged the Israeli government to continue negotiations and called on the public to keep protesting. “We dream of this moment,” they said.
Meanwhile, the released prisoners appeared calm and spoke freely. Standing beside an ancient olive tree cut down by the Israeli army, they reflected on its significance. “This tree is older than our country. It’s terrible they did this. What did the olive tree do? It must be 100 years old.”
They also shared their experiences in captivity. “First of all, thank you very much. They took care of us properly. They worried about us and protected us. Many prisoners were killed during the fighting. We could have returned home before this war. None of this should have happened. There was no reason for it.”
One freed prisoner spoke about his family history. “My grandparents came from Morocco and Turkey. My grandfather came to Palestine for reasons I don’t even know. I think everyone should return to their homeland.”
On Saturday, Hamas handed over six Israeli prisoners, including two who had been held since 2014. This exchange is part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19.
