Political speech, timestamped and in context

Michael Waltz: “Hamas tried to turn his release again into a propaganda moment.”

Featuring: Michael Waltz, Republican | U.S. House, Florida, District 6

'Oct. 7 Can Never, Ever Happen Again': Waltz Says Trump Will Prevent Another Oct. 7 Attack

Published October 6, 2026

He had been treated magnificently, that it was all fine. He refused. He held firm. He said no. And the next day, as they were finally handing him over, Hamas tried to turn his release again into a propaganda moment. They put him on a stage, surrounded him with cameras, told him to raise his hands for the spectacle. He refused again. Elia, we salute you. I salute you. (01:42–01:49)

STATEMENT

Asserts that Hamas attempted to use a hostage's release for propaganda purposes.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Michael Waltz in this video

“A year ago, 48 hostages underground, including two Americans held in those Hamas terror tunnels.”
Asserts that a year ago, 48 hostages, including two Americans, were held in Hamas tunnels.06:52-07:01
“Even Hadara golden and Oran Shah, who had been held by those depraved terrorists since 2014, were out and back home.”
Asserts that Hadara Golden and Oran Shah, held since 2014, have been released and returned home.07:26-07:37
“Resolution 2803 passed through the UN Security Council, 13 to 0.”
Asserts that Resolution 2803 was unanimously passed by the UN Security Council.09:11-09:17
“Hamas tried to make [Aaliyah] record one of their propaganda videos, saying all was well.”
Asserts that Hamas attempted to coerce a hostage into recording propaganda.01:17-01:26
“Azee's nephew, Amit, who was murdered at the Nova Festival.”
Asserts that Amit, a relative of Azee, was killed at the Nova Festival.03:11-03:17
“Aner, who protected God knows how many innocents...by picking up and throwing Hamas hand grenades.”
Asserts that Aner protected civilians by throwing back grenades during an attack.03:18-03:31
“It was the eighth grenade that Hamas threw at these civilians that killed him.”
Asserts that Aner was killed by the eighth grenade thrown by Hamas.03:48-03:55
“Oria Berlin...finished her IDF training on October 5, a brand new recruit, just two days on the job when Hamas attacked her base.”
Asserts that Oria Berlin was a new IDF recruit when her base was attacked by Hamas.04:35-04:54
“Alon was taken from the same shelter as Aliyah. And for much of their captivity, they were held together underground.”
Asserts that Alon and Aliyah were held together in captivity.05:20-05:47
“Alon didn't just kind of magically arrive on the USS Nimitz. He was facilitated by and helped by my good friend Ambassador Jeff Bartos.”
Asserts that Alon's arrival on the USS Nimitz was facilitated by Ambassador Jeff Bartos.05:20-05:33
“Every hostage out, the living are back with their families.”
Asserts that all hostages have been released and returned to their families.07:14-07:21
“President Trump thought it was possible. And he told his envoys, he told me, he told Secretary Rubio, he told Steve and Jared to never stop pushing until we got them home.”
Asserts that President Trump directed his team to persist in efforts to secure the hostages' release.07:40-07:54
“It provides a framework for what? A Gaza without Hamas rule, a demilitarization of the Strip, an international stabilization force, and a path towards reconstruction and peaceful coexistence.”
Asserts that Resolution 2803 outlines a plan for Gaza's future governance and security.09:18-09:32