Hamas recently made headlines when they released an unsettling psychological terror video featuring Israeli hostages Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, drawing widespread condemnation from Israeli authorities and international human rights organizations alike. The online video surfaced this week, prompting fears of escalated psychological warfare in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and heightening concerns regarding hostages’ treatment as well as use of media for terror purposes.
Hamas released the LIVE BLO video as one of its latest media operations to manipulate public sentiment and use psychological tactics against its adversaries. Guy Gilboa-Dalal, an Israeli civilian well known to most Israelis, and Alon Ohel an IDF officer are shown in distressful and vulnerable positions to emphasize their captivity in this video.
Content of the Video
This allegedly shot in Gaza shows two men placed in an environment designed to instil fear and anxiety. Though not graphic in terms of violence, this footage plays on psychological terror with both individuals clearly distressed while speaking under duress. They are then surrounded by Hamas operatives making provocative remarks intended to discredit Israel and its military actions.
Hamas has long used hostage footage to instill fear among both Israeli citizens and the international community, using hostage footage as leverage against Israel, the U.S., and their allies. This video appears designed to provoke strong responses and political pressure from these powers – its title “LIVE BLO” likely refers to live broadcast or streaming event intended to heighten immediacy of Hamas’ message and increase its urgency.
Reactions from Israel and International Bodies
Israel has strongly denounced the release of this video as an abhorrent form of psychological warfare, issuing a statement issued from Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office which reiterated their commitment to secure all hostages’ safe return as well as intensify efforts in searching for Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel.
Bennett said this act of terror aimed at destabilizing our people is being perpetrated by Hamas to break up Israeli society – we won’t allow this tactic to succeed.”
Human rights organizations have raised their concern over such tactics, with Amnesty International strongly condemning a video’s use of hostages for propaganda purposes. According to them, its release violates international humanitarian law as well as further psychological harm for its hostages; using people for psychological warfare was found by them to be in violation of their human rights.
Psychological Impact of Terror Videos
Experts in psychological warfare have observed that hostage videos can have an enormously detrimental impact on both victims and the general public alike. Although such tactics aim to instil fear among populations and demoralize populations, these tactics often serve only to increase tensions further and further aggravate already volatile situations.
“These videos aim to do more than show physical conditions of hostages; their true purpose lies in manipulating emotions, creating helplessness in hostage situations, and destabilizing enemy resolve,” noted Dr. Miriam Sela, an expert in conflict psychology. These tools transcend traditional warfare tactics into psychological manipulation.”
Immediate Action Required in Response to Financial Crises
As word of this video spread, demands for Gilboa-Dalal and Ohel’s immediate release increased significantly. Governments worldwide urged Hamas to adhere to international conventions regarding prisoners and hostages treatment, insisting all captured individuals be accorded humane treatment and given protection from harm.
Even amid mounting international outrage, prospects of an immediate resolution remain remote with both Israel and Hamas entrenched in their positions.
Conclusion
Hamas’ release of the LIVE BLO video marks a new phase in the psychological aspect of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which media manipulation and fear tactics are used to influence public opinion and political outcomes. With millions watching, Israel faces immense pressure to secure their citizens’ release while Hamas continues their media strategy to shape conflict narratives.