Family of hostage Alon Ohel approves release of image from Hamas video
Ohel’s parents confirm son has lost sight in one eye, denounce Hamas clip as “psychological terrorism”
The parents of 24-year-old hostage Alon Ohel have authorised publication of a still image from a Hamas propaganda video, while confirming he has gone blind in one eye during nearly a year of captivity.
Ohel, a German-Serbian-Israeli citizen abducted from the Nova festival on 7 October 2023, appeared in a video released by Hamas ahead of Rosh Hashanah. His family initially pleaded with the media not to share the footage, but on Wednesday allowed a single frame to be made public through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
“These are not Alon’s eyes. Alon has gone blind in one eye,” his parents, Idit and Kobi, said in a statement. “We’re extremely concerned about Alon’s second eye. His condition has greatly deteriorated as a result of cruel captivity and maltreatment.”
The family condemned the video as “psychological terrorism meant to hurt us” and repeated their call for Hamas to allow their son access to medical treatment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the Ohels during Rosh Hashanah before departing for the UN General Assembly in New York, together with hostage envoy Gal Hirsch. The couple thanked Netanyahu for what they described as “a long and sensitive conversation” and urged him to return from the US with “good news”.
Kobi Ohel said the trip marked “a time for greatness for all the cabinet ministers to rise to the hour (and) be human enough and strong enough to give him all the support and strength so he’ll act for the release of Alon and the hostages.”
The latest video is the second showing Ohel since his abduction. Earlier this month, his parents said footage revealed he was already losing vision in one eye. They described the Rosh Hashanah release as “a cruel blow” that showed their son “thin and frightened”.
International leaders condemned the Hamas broadcast. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it “unbearable” and urged the terror group to free all captives, while Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Ðurić said Belgrade “stands in sorrow” with the family.
Ohel, a talented pianist, was kidnapped alongside Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eliya Cohen, and Or Levy. Goldberg-Polin was murdered in captivity, while Cohen and Levy were freed in earlier exchanges.
According to Israeli officials, terror groups in Gaza are still holding 48 hostages, including one soldier taken in 2014. At least 26 hostages have been confirmed dead, and there are grave concerns for two more.
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