Hamas’s Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades issued a statement on Sunday, urging the Israeli military to pause its airstrikes and withdraw from a specific area in Gaza City for a temporary period. This request targets the safety of two Israeli hostages, with the armed group asserting that their lives are in “real danger.” The Brigades have called for a halt to aerial operations for 24 hours, beginning at 6 PM local time, to facilitate efforts to locate and rescue the prisoners.
In recent communications, Hamas attributed the loss of contact with the hostages to intensified Israeli military actions in southern Gaza City over the last two days. The group highlighted that previous instances of lost communication with hostages had been resolved, as evidenced by the recent release of an Israeli-American captive after a similar announcement.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has consistently instructed Palestinian civilians to evacuate southward amidst ongoing military operations in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the international community at the United Nations, affirming his commitment to “finish the job” against Hamas, despite widespread global criticism regarding the escalation of hostilities in Gaza.
The current conflict was instigated by a surprise attack from Hamas on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 individuals in Israel, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally sourced from official figures. The aftermath of this attack resulted in 251 people being taken hostage, with 47 still believed to be held captive in Gaza. Reports indicate that, according to the Israeli military, 25 of these individuals are confirmed deceased.
As hostilities continue, the impact on Gaza has been catastrophic, with the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory reporting at least 66,005 fatalities, mostly among civilians. These numbers have been deemed reliable by the United Nations, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
