'Return us alive': Israeli captive soldier Angrest says they are ‘losing hope’ in new Hamas video

CAIRO – 7 March 2025: Israeli captive soldier Matan Angrest sent a message of distress in a few-minute new video released by Hamas on Friday. He urged his government to advance the ceasefire and captive-prisoner swap agreement with Hamas, stating that he and his fellow captives held in Gaza have started to “lose hope.”

"We feel that the army, the state, and the government have abandoned us all this long in captivity. We, the captives, are starting to lose hope. We do not see an end," Angrest said.

Angrest’s remarks come as negotiations for the ceasefire in Gaza have faced obstacles following the expiration of the first phase of the deal on Saturday, 1 March.

This initial phase saw Hamas release 38 captives, including eight deceased, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas and Israel were set to smoothly transition to the next phase, which involves the return of all captives held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israeli cities in exchange for an end to the war and the full withdrawal of the Israeli army from the enclave.

However, Israel aims to extend the expired first phase to allow for the release of more captives without the obligation to end the war, halting aid entering Gaza since Sunday to apply pressure on Hamas to accept the extension.

Hamas has rejected the extension proposal, initially suggested by US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, calling it an attempt by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to evade the agreement.

A total of 59 captives are still held by Hamas in Gaza, including at least 22 who are still alive.

Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining captives in Gaza in one go in exchange for ending the war and withdrawing Israeli troops under the second phase of the deal.

‘BRING US BACK ALIVE’

"I heard about the stages of the deal; this does not mean anything to the captives,” Angrest said in the video.

“First stage, second stage, third stage... Release all the captives, end this story, and let everyone go their own way."

Angrest addressed the Israeli army, stating that they cannot bring the captives back through force, but rather by moving to the second phase of the agreement.

"I beg you, return us alive and not in coffins."

He noted that the captives are suffering without sunlight, with winter affecting them, and while facing different treatment compared to civilian captives.

He pleaded with those released during the first phase of the agreement “to fight for them.”

"You know what we have gone through here, and we are still suffering."

He urged US President Donald Trump to pressure the Israeli government to return all captives.

“You are the only one who has the power to influence Netanyahu and the government,” Angrest said. “Contribute to concluding this deal. Do what is necessary to bring us back to our homes as soon as possible.”