A feminine captive has been killed in an Israeli strike in northern Gaza, in keeping with a press release by Hamas’s armed wing, as Israel continued its lethal navy operation and ordered pressured evacuation of Palestinians in Gaza Metropolis on Sunday.
Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida stated late on Saturday that contact had been re-established with the girl’s captors after a number of weeks, and it was decided that she had been killed in a northern Gaza space the place the Israeli military has been working.
The assertion by Abu Obeida didn’t present additional particulars concerning the lady’s id or how and when she was killed.
Abu Obeida identified that there was a hazard to the lifetime of one other feminine captive, holding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of his military “absolutely answerable for the lives of the Israeli captives”.
Israel’s navy stated it couldn’t “verify or refute” the declare.
In a press release, the Israeli military stated it was investigating the declare after Hamas “launched footage allegedly exhibiting a hostage who had been killed”.
“[Army] representatives are involved together with her household and are holding them up to date with all accessible info,” the assertion stated.
Hamas took some 250 captives throughout an assault on southern Israel on October 7 final yr, in keeping with Israeli authorities. Amongst them had been 23 Thai nationals, one Nepali nationwide and one Filipino nationwide working or finding out in Israel.
A minimum of 97 of the captives stay in Gaza, together with 34 the military says have been killed.
The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board, a marketing campaign group, stated it had no extra info relating to Saturday’s declare.
On Saturday night, hundreds of individuals demonstrated once more in Israel demanding the discharge of the captives.
“To our beloved hostages, should you can hear us, everybody right here loves you. Keep robust. Survive,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin stated in Tel Aviv on Saturday night.
Her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was kidnapped from a music pageant in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Public stress
The Israeli authorities has been going through intense public stress to safe a brand new deal to convey the remaining captives residence alive. Throughout a one-week truce in November final yr, 105 captives had been launched, together with 80 Israelis, in alternate for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
In June, Israeli forces killed no less than 274 Palestinians and wounded almost 700 others to rescue 4 captives throughout an operation at Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp.
Hamas says a number of captives have been killed in Israeli air raids and failed rescue makes an attempt. Israeli troopers mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.
Qatar, america and Egypt have led months of negotiations for a ceasefire within the Gaza battle. Earlier this month, the Gulf state suspended its mediation efforts. For the reason that one-week pause in preventing final yr, brokered by Qatar, successive negotiations have made no headway.
Israel has repeatedly introduced it won’t cease its bombardment of Gaza till it achieves its battle aims to defeat Hamas and convey the captives residence. However 13 months later, Hamas fighters proceed to battle Israeli troopers and dozens of captives stay in Gaza.
Hamas’s assault final yr resulted in no less than 1,139 deaths, principally civilians.
Israel has since killed greater than 44,000 Palestinians in what campaigners name “a battle of vengeance”, turning giant swaths of Gaza into rubble. The United Nations and numerous rights teams have accused Israel of intentionally concentrating on civilians and residential areas – actions they stated amounted to battle crimes.
Genocide
A UN committee stated on November 14 that Israel’s warfare within the Gaza Strip is in line with the traits of genocide.
“For the reason that starting of the battle, Israeli officers have publicly supported insurance policies that Strip Palestinians of the very requirements required to maintain life – meals, water, and gasoline,” the UN Particular Committee to Examine Israeli Practices stated.
“These statements together with the systematic and illegal interference of humanitarian help clarify Israel’s intent to instrumentalise life-saving provides for political and navy positive aspects.”
The Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICC) stated in January it’s “believable” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
On Thursday, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, on fees of battle crimes and crimes towards humanity. A warrant was additionally issued towards a Hamas chief.
The transfer marks the primary time {that a} sitting chief of a serious Western ally has confronted such fees on the world court docket.
