| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Hamas hostage video shows Maxim Herkin and Bar Kupershtein, in first signs of life |
| 2025-04-06 |
| [IsraelTimes] Both captives’ families ask Israeli media not to publish the clip itself; official says PM ‘updated’ on video, recently spoke with the families The terror group Hamas released on Saturday a propaganda video featuring hostages Bar Kupershtein and Maxim Herkin in the first sign of life from both men since they were abducted by terrorists on October 7, 2023. Herkin’s relatives said earlier Saturday that they had recognized his voice after Hamas initially published a blurred clip from the video. The families have asked Israeli media not to publish the footage or details on its contents. Hamas has previously issued similar videos of other hostages it is holding, with Israel scorning such videos as psychological warfare. Herkin and Kupershtein are among the 24 hostages believed to still be alive of the 59 total hostages that remain in captivity in Gaza. Both hostages were kidnapped by terrorists from the Nova music festival near Re’im. Herkin, a dual Russian-Israeli citizen, was 35 at the time of his abduction, has a three-year-old daughter, and was the primary provider for his mother and 11-year-old brother. He attended the Nova festival by chance, invited by friends at the last minute. It was the first time he had gone to a rave. In February, Hamas said that Herkin would be prioritized during the second stage of the hostage deal, if it were to be signed, as a gesture to the Russian government. However, the agreement between Israel and Hamas fell apart after its first stage, with Israel renewing the fighting in Gaza last month. Kupershtein, a 22-year-old from Holon, was working as a guard and paramedic at the festival. Until then, he had been financially supporting his mother, Julie, his father, Tal, and his four younger siblings. Kupershtein was working as a guard at the festival to earn money for his family, his cousin told The Times of Israel in an interview last month. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |