Female soldier captured in Hamas video has died

In a Hamas video released on social media on Monday, Noa Marciano identified herself on camera and said she had been held in Gaza for four days. The video was recorded on October 11, shortly after Hamas' surprise attack on Israel (October 7).

Israeli female soldier captured by Hamas, Biden promises to free hostages photo 1 — Noa Marciano's mother holds a photo of her daughter during a media interview. Screenshot.

The video then shows still images of a similar-looking young woman lying motionless and apparently dead. The caption says Marciano, 19, was killed “in an airstrike by Zionist enemies” last Thursday.

The Israeli military statement did not comment on the circumstances of Marciano's death other than describing her as "a victim of kidnapping at the hands of a terrorist organization." They said she had served as a private in Israel's border defense corps.

Regarding the hostage issue in Gaza, US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he is engaged in daily discussions to secure the release of hostages held by the Hamas militant group and believes it will happen.

“Hang in there, we’re coming,” Mr. Biden said at the White House when asked by reporters what his message was to the hostages’ family members.

Shortly after his remarks, the White House said Mr. Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, was traveling to the region for talks with officials in Israel, the West Bank, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

"In Israel, he will discuss Israel's security needs, the urgency of protecting civilians during military operations, as well as ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and the need to restrain violent extremist settlers in the West Bank," the statement said.

In a previous White House statement on Sunday, Mr. Biden "unequivocally" condemned Hamas's taking of hostages, including several young children, including a 3-year-old American citizen whose parents were murdered by the group on October 7.

Bui Huy (according to Reuters)

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