Former Navy Seal Commander and Hostage Coordinator Daniel O’Shea says the recently released hostage videos from Hamas are “heart-wrenching to watch”.

Hamas released its first video of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza with the vision showing 21-year-old Mia Shem – who is understood to have been abducted from an outdoor music festival.

Mr O’Shea says the footage is “purely propaganda” for Hamas. 

“These hostages are all pawns and these proof of life videos – they’re heart-wrenching to watch especially for a parent,” he told Sky News Australia. 

“Now that’s what they have leverage.”