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Calls with voices of hostages intended ‘to sow panic’ in the Israeli public

The voices, which were taken from Hamas propaganda videos released in May, belonged to Yosef-Haim Ohana and Elkana Bohbot, with explosions heard in the background.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israelis reported receiving calls on Friday night and Saturday with voices of pleading hostages.

The National Cyber Directorate warned the public that the calls were intended to “sow panic” among Israelis.

The voices, which were taken from Hamas propaganda videos released in May, belonged to Yosef-Haim Ohana and Elkana Bohbot, with explosions heard in the background.

In the original propaganda video, Ohana sits upright beside Bohbot, lying on a mattress, and says, “What will happen when I soon won’t be able to be near him, and he will remain alone?”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said their members had received similar calls and were not behind them.

The directorate said the calls were received from the following numbers: 079-9444000, 074-7375311, and 072-2604986.

It is currently believed that 58 hostages are in Gaza, 57 of whom were kidnapped on October 7, 2023.

Thirty-five are thought to be deceased, and 20 are believed to be alive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the return of the remaining 58 hostages is a top priority. Still, it reserves the right to continue the war until Hamas is eliminated and removed from power in Gaza.

“The Americans are doing everything they can to reach a comprehensive agreement and end the war in Gaza,” the officials said. “President Trump wants, and that’s what he instructed his team to pursue.”

Netanyahu compromised and allowed the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza amid reports that civilians were running out of food.

The premier received harsh criticism for the move from hawkish ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said that allowing aid into the Strip was “giving oxygen” to Hamas.

Video footage has proven that Hamas terrorists have repeatedly seized aid trucks and stolen humanitarian supplies from civilians.

An Israeli official commented that Netanyahu does not feel intense pressure from Trump and added, “If the president wants a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, he needs to put much more pressure on both sides.”

Israel accepted the latest US proposal calling for the release of 19 living hostages and 16 bodies during a 45-60-day ceasefire, with the second phase of the deal requiring the return of the remaining hostages and the end of the war.

Hamas has not responded to the proposal.