Hamas broadcasts video of 'prisoner' in Gaza

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES — Palestinian militant group Hamas released Monday on its official Telegram channel a video of "one of the prisoners in Gaza", showing a young woman speaking Hebrew.

The video, which could not immediately be verified by AFP, includes footage purportedly of the same woman receiving treatment for an arm injury.

According to the caption, she had been abducted on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, triggering a war that has killed thousands of people in both Israel and the blockaded Gaza Strip, which Israel is bombing in retalitation.

The Israeli army has confirmed at least 199 hostages were taken to Gaza, while while Hamas claimed earlier Monday that it and other factions are holding around 250 captives.

In the video, the first released by Hamas of a hostage purportedly speaking from captivity, the woman says she is from central Israel and appeals for her release.

Abu Obeideh, spokesman for Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, said in a televised statement earlier Monday that some foreign hostages would be released by the group "when conditions are ripe".

Officials in both Israel and Gaza have denied any prisoner swap talks.