The parents of the American hostage threatened as the next ISIS beheading victim released a video Saturday making heartfelt pleas for their son's release.
In the video, reported by Sky News, Ed and Paula Kassig request that their son, Peter Kassig - who changed his name to Abdul-Rahman Kassig - be freed and safely returned.
'Our family deplores all human suffering and the loss of innocent life, no matter who is responsible,' said Ed Kassig, a teacher. 'We respond by trying to provide aid and assistance. Our son was living his life according to that same humanitarian call when he was taken captive.'
He continues that there is 'so much that is beyond our control. We've asked our government to change its actions, but like our son, we have no more control over the U.S. government than you have over the breaking dawn. We implore his captors to show mercy and use their power to let our son go.'
The 26-year-old Indiana native served in the Iraq War in 2007, and after an honorable medical discharge started his own aid group called Special Emergency Response and Assistance. He was captured by Islamic State militants in October 2013 while traveling to eastern Syria.
Ed Kassig said in the video that his son was inspired to commit his life to humanitarian work by his grandfather.
He went to Turkey to found his organization, and helped train 150 civilians in medical aid skills, his dad said.
'He grew to love and admire the Syrian people and felt at home there,' the elder Kassig said. 'Our son's journey culminated in him embracing Islam.'
His wife, Paula, is quietly seated next to her husband wearing a purple scarf wrapped around her head and holding a photo of her son during happier times, while he makes his measured speech.
At the end of the 3-minute clip, she speaks directly to her son.
'Dear son,' she says, 'we hope that you will see this message from me and your father. We are so very proud of you and the work you have done to bring humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.'
She adds that the family was happy to receive messages from their captive son earlier this year, and she also mentions a friend with whom Kassig was captured who was safely released.
'Please know that we are all praying for you and your safe return,' she continues. 'Most of all, know that we love you and our hearts ache for you to be granted your freedom so we can hug you again and set you free to continue the life you have chosen, the life of service to those in greatest need.
'We implore those who are holding you to show mercy and use their power to let you go.']
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