Hamas Warns Israel: Cease Military Offensive or Risk Hostages' Lives
Hamas, the Islamist militant group governing the Gaza Strip, has issued a stark warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an immediate halt to the military offensive in Gaza, Newsweek reports.
The group cautioned that time is rapidly diminishing for the safe return of individuals detained by Hamas.
Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, released a video statement emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "The continuation of the aggression does not allow for the release of prisoners at all, let alone the possibility of liberating them through direct military operations," he stated.
Abu Obaida further clarified that if Israel wishes to ensure the hostages' survival, the only option is to cease its military actions.
This dire message comes amid ongoing hostilities that have seen more than 100 of the approximately 242 hostages taken during the unexpected attack by Hamas on October 7 released, primarily during a brief ceasefire earlier in the month.
However, as peace negotiations faltered, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified their operations in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas and rescue those still in captivity.
Hamas has also accused the IDF of inadvertently causing harm to the hostages in its continued assaults on Gaza. They released footage, accompanied by appeals from the hostages, proclaiming, "We tried to keep them alive, but Netanyahu insisted on killing them."
When approached for comment, a Hamas spokesperson stated that the current status of the remaining hostages is unclear.
