By Aanchal Sinha,News18

Copyright news18

Hamas released a compilation image showing the 47 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza on Saturday. Hamas described the photo as a farewell picture, labelling each hostage as “Ron Arad,” the Israeli Air Force navigator captured in 1986, and assigning each a number. Along with it, the hostages were also given a number.
The text on the image accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a ceasefire and hostage deal, while blaming the IDF Chief of Staff for proceeding with the Gaza invasion despite reportedly opposing it.
“Because of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s refusal, and [IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal] Zamir’s capitulation, a parting image as the military operation in Gaza City begins,” it said.
A report by Ynet, an Israeli publication, quoted officials as saying that out of the 47 hostages, only 20 are believed to be alive. 2 of the remaining hostages are in a grave condition, and the rest are dead.
A statement from al-Qassam Brigades said, “Your prisoners are distributed within the neighbourhoods of Gaza City, and we will not be concerned for their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them,” as reported by CNN.
“The commencement of this criminal operation and its expansion means that you will not receive any prisoner, neither alive nor dead, and their fate will be the same as that of (Ron Arad).”
Hamas released 30 hostages, 20 Israeli civilians, five soldiers, and five Thai nationals during the ceasefire between January and March 2024. They also released the bodies of eight Israeli captives killed. In May, they released an American-Israeli hostage as a “gesture” to the United States.
Israel, in exchange, released 2,000 prisoners and detainees.
According to health officials, Israeli strikes killed at least 14 people overnight in Gaza City, as Israel ramps up its offensive there and urges Palestinians to leave.
The strikes occur as Western nations grow increasingly frustrated with the escalating conflict in Gaza, with some planning to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly next week.
The recent Israeli operation, launched earlier this week, has intensified the conflict in the Middle East and likely delays any prospects for a ceasefire.