International-News

Israel-Gaza: Hamas, “If forceful action alive hostages handed back in coffins”

Hamas threatens the lives of hostages in Gaza if Israel continues with raids. Netanyahu warns, “More resistance, more pressure.”

Hostages still held in the Gaza Strip could be in grave danger if Israel attempts to free them “by force.” This is the warning issued by Hamas after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced new operations against the Palestinian faction. Hamas said it is doing all it can to keep the prisoners alive, but warned that Israeli air raids are putting their lives at risk. According to Hamas, “any attempt to retrieve the hostages by force ends up bringing them back in coffins.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that pressure on Hamas will increase if the group does not release the hostages still being held. “I say this to Hamas: the more they oppose the release, the stronger the pressure will be,” Netanyahu said, alluding to measures including confiscation of territory.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also issued an evacuation notice for Palestinian residents of Gaza City, urging them to move to safe areas south of the Strip. The evacuation affects several neighborhoods, including Zeitoun, Tel al-Hawa and Sheikh Ijlin. This warning comes after Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired rockets, one of which was intercepted by Israeli air defenses.

Since March 18, the Israeli offensive has claimed the lives of at least 830 Palestinians, with the total death toll reaching 50,183 since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Gaza City Health Ministry.

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