US slams ‘despicable’ Hamas ‘propaganda video’ of Israeli hostage

The United States respondesto Hamas’s release of a hostage video by calling on the group to immediately release all hostages.

“There should be no reason for them to have any hostages in the first place,” says US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on American TV.

Asked if he believes the woman in the video, identified as 21-year-old Mia Schem, is being treated OK, Kirby says she was “probably forced” to record the message.

“There’s no question in my mind that that woman gave that video testimony under duress, probably forced to do it,” Kirby says on NBC’s “Today.”

“It’s a propaganda video much more than it is proof of life or, certainly, proof of concept for Hamas. It’s despicable, deplorable that they would take these hostages and then advertise how well they’re treating them when they’re the ones who hurt them in the first place.”