Hamas Claims Half of Living Israeli Hostages Reside in Evacuation Zones
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Synopsis
The Al-Qassam Brigades claim that half of the living Israeli hostages are in areas under recent evacuation orders from Israel. They emphasize the need for urgent negotiations for the hostages' safety.
Key Takeaways
- Half of living Israeli hostages in danger zones.
- Hamas warns of severe risks to hostages' lives.
- Israel must negotiate for hostages' release.
- Renewed Israeli strikes have resulted in significant casualties.
- Over 280,000 people displaced in two weeks.
Gaza, April 5 (NationPress) The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military branch of Hamas, announced that approximately 50% of the surviving Israeli hostages are located in regions where Israel has recently issued evacuation orders.
In a statement, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, emphasized that the military faction has opted not to transfer the hostages from these designated areas, instead keeping them under stringent security protocols. He cautioned that their lives are in jeopardy, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
“If Israel is genuinely worried about the safety of these hostages, it must promptly initiate serious discussions to facilitate their evacuation or release,” Obeida stated, adding that “time is of the essence.”
He further remarked that the Israeli government holds full accountability for the fate of the hostages.
Had Israel complied with the ceasefire agreement established in January, many of the hostages “would be home today rather than facing peril,” he noted.
Israel concluded a two-month ceasefire with Hamas on March 18, resuming its lethal air and ground assaults on the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday, Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Effie Defrin indicated that the military had entered “a new phase” in its operations in Gaza.
The renewed Israeli offensives have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 1,249 Palestinians and left 3,022 others injured, according to Gaza health officials as of Friday.
Additionally, a UN report released on Friday disclosed that since March 18, the Israeli military has enacted 13 displacement orders, affecting approximately 126.6 square km, or 35% of the Gaza Strip.
In the past two weeks, over 280,000 individuals have been displaced, the report indicated.
