It was the first image of Hisham al-Sayed released since he wandered across the border from southern Israel to Gaza. His release came a day after Hamas said the condition of one of the Israeli detainees had deteriorated. In the video, Sayed, 34, is seen lying in bed with a mask over his mouth and nose and an oxygen bottle next to him. He appears tired and dizzy. He does not speak and there is no sound. Other parts of the video show an intravenous drip next to the bed as well as a picture of Sayed’s Israeli identity. Sayed is a member of Israel’s Bedouin Arab minority. The video is titled “Shot of the Soldier in the Occupation Army, Hisham Sayed, held by the Qassam Brigades”. It has no date, but a video on the video shows images from the Qatar Economic Forum, which took place in Doha last week. Sayed is one of two Israeli citizens believed to be being held by Hamas. Rights groups say they both suffer from mental illness. The Islamic State militant group did not provide details about the conditions or whereabouts of its detainees and never allowed the Red Cross to visit them. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the video, saying Hamas was holding two mentally ill people against “all international law”. “Releasing a video of a sick person is a desperate and desperate act,” his office said in a statement. He described Sayid as a mentally ill citizen who had crossed the border into Gaza several times in the past. “Hamas’ actions are proof that it is a cynical terrorist and criminal organization,” the statement said, adding that the video delayed any possibility of a deal. Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of deadly attacks, in exchange for captive Israelis. Israel and Hamas are fierce enemies. They have waged four wars and dozens of smaller skirmishes since Hamas took control of Gaza 15 years ago. Israel and Egypt have since maintained a strict blockade on the territory. Israel says the closure is necessary to prevent Hamas from developing its military capabilities, but critics say the policy amounts to a collective punishment of Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians. Israel says no significant moves can be made to lift the blockade until the remains of soldiers and captives are released. Bennett’s office said Israel would continue to work through Egyptian mediation for the release of the captives.
