Hamas published on Saturday the first sign of life from 51-year-old hostage Nadav Popplewell, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7. The organization later claimed Popplewell had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.
The death announcement comes amid a number of similar Hamas announcements since the start of the war. This one, like others, has not been confirmed by Israel. The Islamist terrorist group has a history of engaging in misinformation and psychological warfare.
The video shows Popplewell reading a short script before the video cuts to a large question mark. Accounts that posted the video mockingly asked, “In a few moments... What happened?”
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Nadav Popplewell's health
Popplewell had a black eye in the video but no other visible injuries. It is unclear when the video was made.
Popplewell is diabetic, and his sister told the English Daily Mail in November that she was worried about his health in captivity.
Popplewell’s mother, Hannah Peri, was released on November 24. His brother Roee was murdered on October 7.
Hamas has posted short videos of hostages in the past and taunted Israel about the state of their well-being. Two weeks ago, Hamas published footage of hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Keith Siegel, and Omri Miran.
Later on Saturday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement reiterating its demand that the government achieve a hostage deal immediately.
“Every sign of life received from the hostages held by Hamas is another cry of distress to the Israeli government and its leaders,” the forum stated. “We don’t have a moment to spare! You must strive to implement a deal that will bring them all back today – the living to rehabilitation and the murdered to burial.”