Hamas releases new video of Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot amid reports of hostage deal progress

The terror organization Hamas on Saturday released another video showing Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot, the second in six days, amid a flurry of reports suggesting progress in negotiations over a potential new ceasefire and hostage deal with Israel.

In the video, Bohbot appears to be in a relatively healthy state physically, but shows signs of psychological distress. His voice cracks several times as he directly appeals to the Israeli government, pleading for his release.

Notably, Bohbot again denied that he was forced to film the video, claiming it was his idea and was not intended as psychological warfare. However, several released hostages have since recounted how they were forced to film similar videos and to read out messages from their captors.

The family of Elkana Bohbot authorizes the publication of the video released by Hamas a short time ago. pic.twitter.com/eCA13iS16x

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) March 29, 2025

Over the weekend, several reports indicated that the negotiations over a new ceasefire and hostage deal had advanced, while still not being close to finalization.

An Israeli official told Walla News on Saturday that Hamas had agreed to a proposal to release five living Israeli hostages for a 50-day ceasefire that would begin over the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which begins on Sunday.

The deal would also include the release of an unspecified number of hostages' bodies. In addition, the Saudi Al-Sharq outlet reported that the new proposal includes the return of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops to their positions before the fighting in Gaza resumed, the reopening of the Rafah crossing for wounded and sick, and the resumption of humanitarian aid.

However, the official told Walla that Israel will present a counteroffer and expressed skepticism that an agreement could be reached before the Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to Ynet News, Israel still insists on the Witkoff framework, which proposed that Hamas release 10 of the around 24 living hostages. A senior Israeli official told the outlet, “There is a chance to reach something.”

Another report from the Qatari news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed stated that Hamas recently rejected a U.S. proposal for the group’s senior military commanders to leave the Gaza Strip with their families while receiving large financial incentives, as well as guarantees that they would not be harmed.

On Saturday evening, thousands of protesters gathered across Israel again to demonstrate against the government, with the central demand being the return of the hostages.

At a demonstration in front of the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, Yifat Calderon, the cousin of released hostage Ofer Calderon, addressed U.S. President Donald Trump on behalf of several hostage families. “Netanyahu and Dermer are trying to deceive you,” she said.

“The prime minister needs to take the initiative to end the war and return everyone in one fell swoop. And if that doesn't happen, it's time for your plan.”

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, alleged that “at this very moment, my Matan and 58 of our dearest and most precious ones are being bombed - on Netanyahu's orders. This is the 540th day that our loved ones are being sacrificed and murdered in the hell of Gaza.”

“The war will not only not return the kidnapped, it will kill them and disappear the bodies of the fallen. Netanyahu is consciously turning the kidnapped into [missing IDF soldier] Ron Arad! He is sacrificing them and the entire country in a war whose sole purpose is to consolidate his rule,” Zangauker said.