LONDON — Arbel Yehoud stands on the brink of freedom, her countenance revealing profound fear and uncertainty. She is flanked by numerous masked militants from Hamas, and beyond them is a mass of chanting men who encircle her. In the next frame, Yehoud gazes up at her captors, desperately pleading for her release. Yet, images suggest that her captors are themselves on the verge of losing control, struggling to manage the crowd that blocks her escape as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, her friends and family watch intently as the handover unfolds live, their expressions a mixture of anxiety and hope. As Yehoud finally reaches waiting vehicles and makes her way to Israel, government footage captures the poignant moment she reunites with her parents, filled with joy and relief.
The visuals emerging from both Israel and Gaza during recent exchanges of hostages for prisoners have been a carefully orchestrated campaign of imagery, mirroring the ongoing ground conflict between Israel and Hamas that has lasted for 16 months. Each side strategically utilizes the interplay of images to project an image of virtue and strength for themselves while portraying the other as monstrous and weak, a tactic rooted in propaganda. Nevertheless, some of these images convey undeniable truths, such as the turmoil surrounding Yehoud’s release in Gaza, which underscored the fragility of the ceasefire initiated on January 19.
“All of this was filmed and intentionally shared,” noted an expert on hostage situations. “Social science discusses how empathy can diminish in the collective, as audiences often focus more intently and are more inclined to act to assist specific victims.”
Historically, both sides in hostage crises and prisoner-of-war releases have attempted to leverage the vulnerability of captives by highlighting the names, faces, and personal stories of those in chains. Even within the context of warfare, the power of branding seals the fate of narratives painted around those held against their will.
The urgency surrounding proof of life has played a critical role in negotiations throughout history. For instance, since the notorious kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s son in 1932, visuals of hostages have significantly impacted discussions, creating a strong emotional drive. Memories of captive Americans blindfolded during the Iran crisis in 1979 or the harrowing image of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl holding a newspaper before his tragic death in 2002 remain etched in collective memory.
The media confrontation between Israel and Hamas intensified dramatically after the attack on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas fighters breached Israeli borders, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others into Gaza. Footage captured from both militants and Israeli civilians featured details so graphic that many viewers reported experiencing a form of secondary trauma from witnessing the events.
Public opinion has influenced billions of dollars in American aid throughout the ongoing conflict, with fluctuating sentiments observable across different periods. There were widespread protests against Israel globally, a surge in antisemitism, and the proliferation of misinformation concerning the unfolding events. The International Criminal Court has also issued warrants for high-ranking Israeli officials, alleging crimes against humanity in connection to actions taken during the Gaza conflict, which the beleaguered Israeli Prime Minister has vowed to contest.
Israel, in turn, has presented imagery to argue that Hamas has engaged in acts of inhumanity. Within a month after the attacks, the Israeli military produced a striking film detailing the horrific moments of the assault, titled “Bearing Witness” in English and “The Film of Horrors” in Hebrew. This was shown to select journalists, diplomats, and Hollywood figures during screenings held in various countries amid escalating military actions against Gaza.
Since the commencement of the ceasefire, Hamas has crafted each hostage release into a grand event, complete with large crowds, flags, and smiling captives displayed on stage. For Hamas, this presentation serves as proof of its persistence as a dominant force following 15 months of intense conflict. Casualty figures from the ongoing airstrikes on Gaza, cited by local health officials, indicate that at least 47,000 have lost their lives, with a vast majority of the population forced to flee their homes. Although the chaos has subsided under the ceasefire, the survivors have returned to a landscape largely reduced to ruins.
The vivid portrayals of hostages led through throngs of supporters raised questions regarding Hamas’s actual authority. Netanyahu condemned the “disturbing images” and urged international mediators to prioritize the safety of hostages in future exchanges, a promise he claims to have received afterward.
The hostage release that occurred on Saturday unfolded smoothly and substantiated claims that Hamas remains firmly in control. Photographs from the event further illustrated this narrative, with three Israeli hostages released in front of cameras while holding certificates declaring their liberation. Before the final release, masked militants posed on stage adorned with imagery of deceased Hamas leaders and a banner proclaiming, “Zionism will not prevail.”
On the Israeli side, media captured the emotional moments of family reunions, showcasing people experiencing a blend of relief and joy on live television. “There he is!” exclaimed the wife of a recently freed captive as she recognized her husband on the screen. The government followed suit by broadcasting images of the relieved ex-captives joyfully embracing their loved ones, a display of emotional warmth that played on a continuous loop on Israeli channels.
While these jubilant reunions mark a significant moment, they also signal the beginning of arduous and complex journeys toward healing for both the hostages and their families. However, these jubilant instances serve a vital role in Israel, where the war’s stated objective includes ensuring the safe return of hostages, even as divisions persist among the populace over the slow pace of these operations. Many families of captives have accused Netanyahu of prolonging military actions for political reasons.
In the backdrop of this turmoil, the lack of images surrounding certain hostages conveys its own poignant narrative. One of the three hostages released during the highly publicized event, Yarden Bibas, remains separated from his family, raising concerns about their fate. His family’s abduction has become emblematic of the conflict’s brutality, highlighted by a video in which his wife, Shiri, desperately holds their two young sons, surrounded by armed fighters.
In November 2023, Hamas released a haunting video of Yarden in tears upon being informed of his family’s presumed death, an assertion that Israel has yet to confirm. During the most recent release, Israeli media aired footage of Yarden appearing exhausted yet hopeful as he reunited with family who had been anxiously waiting for his return.
