Hamas recently released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Angrest alive, which has left his family deeply shaken. The footage depicts Angrest, who turned 22 in November, calling on Israeli authorities to implement the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. His family, in a statement issued by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, expressed their distress at seeing Angrest appear drained and desperate after 518 days in captivity. They accused his captors of torturing him, pointing to visible signs of physical abuse, including a non-functional right hand, asymmetrical eyes and mouth, and a broken nose.

Angrest’s abduction occurred during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, when he was taken from the Nahal Oz base. His family has been advocating for his release, with his mother releasing an audio recording in September where Angrest pleads with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to exchange Palestinian prisoners for the hostages. The family has also urged international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, to ensure the ceasefire deal progresses until all hostages are freed.

The recent video has heightened concerns about the well-being of the remaining hostages. Out of 251 hostages taken during the 2023 attack, 58 are still in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli military. The first phase of the ceasefire, which included prisoner exchanges, has ended, and Hamas is pushing for the transition to the second phase, aiming for a permanent end to the conflict. Israel, however, seeks to extend the first phase until mid-April.

The situation remains tense, with both sides having different expectations for the ceasefire’s progression. The international community is watching closely as negotiations continue, hoping for a resolution that ensures the safe return of all hostages.

The family’s plea for international intervention highlights the urgency and complexity of the situation. As the conflict continues, the plight of hostages like Matan Angrest remains a focal point in efforts to achieve peace.