2 Elderly Hostages Released; Israel Reveals Footage from Oct. 7 Massacre to Counter Hamas Propaganda
Julie Stahl : Oct 24, 2023
CBN News
"We really hope this is the beginning for the release of the rest of the hostages, which is more important and more important than their release, we hope this will continue." -Daniel Lifshitz, grandson of one of the hostages
(Jerusalem, Israel) — [CBN News] Hamas released two more Israeli hostages Monday evening, and Israel released bodycam footage of the October 7 massacre, as the Israel-Hamas War continued for the 18th day. (Screengrab image: via CBN News)
Hamas posted video of its fighters taking care of Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, before handing them over to the Red Cross in Egypt, which then brought them to Israel.
The women were kidnapped on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza Strip. It brings the total of those released to four. Their husbands are still in captivity.
Daniel Lifshitz, grandson of one of the hostages, said, "We really hope this is the beginning for the release of the rest of the hostages, which is more important and more important than their release, we hope this will continue."
At least 220 Israelis are still being held hostage by Hamas, including 30 children. One of them, Ohad Munder Zichri, turned 9-years-old in captivity Monday.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron became the latest world leader to visit Israel in a show of solidarity.
Macron arrived in Tel Aviv Tuesday and met with Israeli-French nationals who lost loved ones, as well as families of hostages. He also met with President Isaac Herzog.
Earlier, Israeli officials showed journalists terrorist bodycam footage of the initial Hamas invasion. Most of the material was not for publication, but officials said the release was made to combat a "Holocaust denial-like phenomenon" that is appearing in the media. (Screengrab image: via X)
One clip was released showing a victim's car cam as terrorists riddled the vehicle with bullets until it crashed.
The material included an instruction manual detailing the offensive plans of the Hamas attack, as well as how to handle the kidnapped Israelis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israeli Defense Forces chief of staff, told the nation they are working together as an iron fist to eliminate Hamas.
"I want the citizens of Israel to know something else." Netanyahu declared. "We make the decisions here and in the War Cabinet unanimously. We do so with great responsibility. We do so with deep awareness. We are fighting together and we will win together – only together."
Gallant stated, "I welcome the formation of the War Cabinet. I think it is a blessing for the State of Israel and for the people of Israel. It is a message of unity for all of us here in the country and to our enemies ahead of the difficult stages that await us in the war." (Screengrab image: via CBN News)
"We are conducting a war. I have seen that the forces in the field are ready and prepared," Halevi said. "We see only one thing – the security of the State of Israel."
Israel's military buildup continues along the Gaza Border. The I.D.F. said Tuesday it struck more than 400 terror targets in Gaza in the past 24 hours, killing Hamas commanders and operatives who were preparing attacks.
In the north, Israel struck a military compound, a military post and an observation post used by Hezbollah during the night. The strikes were in response to rocket and anti-tank missile launches from Lebanese territory. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here
Julie Stahl is a correspondent for CBN News in the Middle East. A Hebrew speaker, she has been covering news in Israel fulltime for more than 20 years.
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