A senior official from Hamas warns that Israel’s decision to resume military operations against the terror organization, after negotiations for a ceasefire stalled, is akin to a “death sentence” for the remaining hostages, according to The Associated Press. This threat includes Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage, who was born in Tel Aviv and raised in New Jersey. Consequently, a group of family members of the hostages have expressed outrage at Israel’s stance. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum criticized the move, stating that the resumption of war “chose to give up on the hostages.” They called for protests to be held following the airstrikes, arguing that military pressure could endanger lives and complicate efforts to bring hostages home safely. Currently, there are 59 hostages in Gaza, although it’s believed only 24 of these individuals are still alive. The initial ceasefire was intended to be implemented in two phases, with talks on the second phase, which would have led to the end of the war and the release of remaining hostages, coming to a standstill.
Fox News reports that the airstrikes have resulted in over 400 deaths among Palestinians, including women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, although these figures cannot be independently verified by Fox News due to the conflict’s nature. Medical volunteers at Nasser Hospital described the emergency room as chaotic, with several patients dying due to the strikes. This marks the end of a nearly two-month-long ceasefire that had seen the release of multiple hostages. The IDF announced on Twitter that the country was conducting “extensive strikes on terror targets” in Gaza, targeting both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad positions. Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities called on all parties for restraint and a commitment to a long-term ceasefire, according to Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with security officials to discuss the situation. He declared that Israel would increase its military actions against Hamas. The IDF also announced that strikes targeted launch posts, weapons stockpiles, and military infrastructure. The High Commissioner for Human Rights office at the United Nations criticized the airstrikes, calling them “horrifying” and urging nations around the world to support the release of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/israeli-strikes-hamas-amount-death-sentence-remaining-hostages-terror-group-says
