Fifty hostages remain held in Gaza by Hamas, with recent footage showing Israeli captives Maxim Herkin, 37, and Bar Kupershtein, 23, alive as recently as April. The families of these hostages have released clips from Hamas propaganda videos to highlight their ongoing captivity and plea for a ceasefire. Former hostage Ohad Ben Ami, who was held for 491 days, described the brutal conditions and psychological torture endured during captivity. Hamas has appointed Izzedddine al-Haddad, in his mid-50s and a planner of the October 7, 2023 attack, as its new leader in Gaza. Al-Haddad, who heads Hamas's military wing and controls the hostages, is reportedly demanding a "respectable deal" from Israel amid ceasefire negotiations. Analysts note that Hamas's leadership is currently in exile in Doha, Qatar, which is believed to be encouraging the group to retain the hostages. The new leadership's stance complicates efforts for a ceasefire, with comparisons drawn to the Chechen war where a ruthless adversary reduced territory to rubble, raising concerns about Gaza's future.